Late-life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program

Sadness of cognitive decline are not a normal part of aging. Our program is dedicated to prevention of mood and cognitive disorders and chronic pain in aging, by promoting brain health and wellness. Medical studies have already shown that exercise and mind body therapies such as yoga and Tai Chi, can help to reduce depression in seniors and improve their quality of life. To find the best ways to prevent and treat depression, researchers at UCLA are requesting participants for current medical studies.

“Many seniors and their caregivers are faced with lots of stress, including economic downturns and multiple medical conditions. They can’t always afford expensive medical treatments,” said Helen Lavretsky, MD, professor at UCLA who specializes in geriatric psychiatry and mind-body intervention. “I want to use everything available to promote wellness in seniors and their caregivers.”