Is the glass half full or half empty? Well, how you respond to this question could indicate whether you are at risk for dementia. Researchers at Yale University recently published a study in the science journal PLOS ONE that found that older people with a positive attitude toward aging have a lower risk for dementia than those with a more pessimistic view, even in those with the genetic link to dementia. In essence, how our culture defines and depicts aging can potentially be a self-fulfilling prophesy: the more negative the stereotypes of seniors (and research continues to show a negative portrayal of seniors in popular culture) the more likely we accept and absorb this portrayal, which can impact our cognitive health and well-being. So it’s important that we all fight ageism and reject stereotypes that cast getting older in negative terms. To read more about this study, and its implications, take a look Here. And for one man’s story of how to throw yourself into your passions and maintain a positive attitude about aging, even in the face of challenges, Watch Here.