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Will I age like my parent? Dr Norman Swan on the brain cliff, dementia and looking after yourself | Club Sandwich

Worried about your parent's brain? And your own? If you are looking after an ageing parent, you have probably wondered whether you will go the same way. Sarah talks to the ABC's Norman Swan, physician, broadcaster and author of 'The Brain Cliff', about what he has learned from the research and from a life of reporting on health. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode:The Conversation: Norman says the fear of falling off a brain cliff into dementia is common, and that the cliff and how bright you are are two separate things. - Norman on his own parents, and what it was like to be a sandwich generation son from the other side of the world.- Why Norman says the brain cliff is only about a quarter genetic, and what that means if your parent has dementia.- Brain change rather than brain ageing, and the idea of scaffolding in the brain.- Why a busy, complicated life can train your brain, and why stress and rumination are different things.- The kind of stress Norman calls toxic: feeling that other people are running your life.- Why letting your mind wander and doing nothing are good for you.- Norman on dementia risk, which he says is falling in Australia at any given age.- Alcohol, supplements and hormones: what he found, and what he has changed in his own life.- Why looking after yourself comes first, and why unloading some of the work is a good thing. This episode is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your own health. Credits:Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don't have to do it alone. Check out 'Put The Kettle On' – Vera's free conversation guide: the five questions worth asking your ageing mum or dad, at putthekettleon.com.auCredits:Sarah Macdonald – Host + Executive ProducerMelissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + ClubberJustin McArthur – Executive Producer + Editor, for P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our theme music Club Sandwich — hear more at https://seanwayland.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.