Courtesy photo Guests listen to a recent talk by Dr. Mary Whitmer at the Gary Abrahamson, Jr. Memory Care Center.

ESCANABA – Dr. Mary Whitmer spoke to a crowd of 58 people about the topic of aging and how to flourish and experience true joy in your life on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Gary Abrahamson, Jr. Memory Care Center (GAJMCC), located at 2635 1st Ave. S.

The theme of Whitmer’s presentation was “the gift of years,” and she focused on two types of happiness: The first is “hedonic happiness,” which is based on the notion that moments of increased pleasure and decreased pain leads to happiness. Hedonistic concepts are based on the notion of subjective wellbeing, and can lead to addictive tendencies, Whitmer explained.

The second form – and the way to true fulfillment, according to Whitmer – is “eudaimonic happiness,” which focuses on flourishing across a lifetime, and is brought about through practicing moral virtue, practical wisdom and rationality. Eudaimonic happiness, Whitmer explained, gives a feeling that your life has meaning and purpose, and your experiences allow you to learn and grow and reach your full potential. “You cannot go back in time to change events in your life, but you can change perspective,” said Whitmer.

So what is the key to true happiness and enhancing the quality of your life, even as we age?

According to Whitmer, gratitude is the key. She cited research from the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, which found that regularly expressing gratitude — the quality of being thankful and readiness to show appreciation — literally changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier. In a 2008 study, scientists measured brain activity of participants experiencing different emotions, and found that gratitude causes synchronized activation in multiple brain regions, and lights up parts of the brain’s reward pathways and the hypothalamus. In short, the research showed, just like the medication Prozac, gratitude can boost neurotransmitter serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine.

Whitmer shared some strategies people can use to experience true happiness by living gratefully: Remember those people and things in your life you are thankful for and journal what you are grateful for, or at least be more mindful of those people and things. Thank people who impact your life, and write them “thank you” notes. Mentally thank God and people, even when time does not allow action. Pray in thanksgiving, and finally, meditate on what you are thankful for.

But Whitmer added that false gratitude does not bring the true inner peace that authentic, heartfelt gratitude does. This is where growing in humility, poverty of spirit, and a sense of our need are essential to experiencing true gratitude, she said.

Whitmer shared one final thought: “Belief in God provides a foundation for our moral life. We are nothing without God.”

Among those present for the talk were five of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, the GAJMCC is a mission of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres: Sister Dorothea Jang, Sister Gloria Schultz, Sister Eden Orlino, Sister Estela Garcia, and Sister Clemence Mira. Also present was Patt Abrahamson, whose late son, Gary Abrahamson, Jr. is the namesake of the building.

After Whitmer’s presentation, several of the attendees shared their experiences and stories of caring for aging family members.

In partnership with Community Action Adult Day Services Program, the Memory Care Center serves individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related illnesses. The center also hosts guest speakers, like Whitmer, to meet the needs of many caregivers and others seeking help in the community.

Whitmer retired from her family practice at OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group – Gladstone on May 1, 2019. However, Whitmer remains on the OSF St. Francis Hospital Medical staff and continues to provide care to residents of its local nursing home facilities. Whitmer is a member of the Catholic Medical Association.

For more information on future presentations at the Memory Care Center, call 906-786-5810, ext. 150.