If you have a family member who attends House of Welcome’s Day Program for people living with memory loss, you’ve likely heard of the Meltones. The Meltones is a singing group that’s part of Men Enjoying Leisure (MEL), a men’s activity group founded in 2000. The group leads singalongs at senior centers and retirement communities. They perform a medley of 1930s and 1940s favorites like “Getting to Know You,” “Dream a Little Dream,” “Sunny Side of the Street,” and “The Glory of Love.”
Out of the eight singers, one is superager Ralph Rehbock (pictured). Superagers are people age 80 and older
who retain the cognitive function (memory, attention, judgment) and physical vitality of a person 20 to 30 years younger. For the past 11 years, Ralph has been part of Northwestern University’s SuperAger study run through NU’s Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Each year, Ralph and other participants of the study undergo cognitive testing that involves memory and language retention and executive functioning. Their brains are scanned and their blood is tested with the end goal of discovering a biomarker for successful aging. Following death, participants’ brains are donated to the
Mesulam Institute so research can continue for decades.
According to Northwestern Magazine, the Mesulam Institute brings together physicians, scientists, and social workers to study the brain and all the various challenges that can come with aging. The work ultimately hopes to uncover clues that help researchers understand, treat, and prevent dementia.
Tamar Gefen, PhD, clinical neuropsychologist, is one of the leaders of the Institute’s Superaging Program. “We are flipping the ethos of aging on its head,” she said in an interview with Northwestern Magazine.
“One study found that the neurons of superagers are extremely plump, they’re bigger, they’re healthier than their cognitively normal same-aged peers. That’s really powerful. We want to understand what makes those neurons special.”
She said that many of the participants are emotionally resilient—they are able to bounce back from hardship. “If there is a cure to Alzheimer’s disease, if there is a cure to neurodegeneration, it’s somewhere lying in those brains.”
Ralph, 91, of Northbrook, survived the Holocaust, narrowly escaping Germany in 1938 with his parents. He was raised in Hyde Park, married his high school sweetheart, Enid, and raised two sons. He had a lengthy
career in the manufacturers’ gift industry and is one of the founders of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Today, he has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
When asked what he attributes to his cognitive strength, he said he doesn’t even think about it. “I guess I just keep busy doing so many things like speaking engagements, volunteering, working at the Holocaust Museum, and singing in the Meltones. Telling my story of escaping Nazi Germany is a huge part of my life. These stories must continue to be told.”
Dr. Gefen said there is no such thing as a “typical” superager. “It’s not as simple as eating blueberries. It’s not as simple as socializing. There’s always going to be an interaction between biology, genetics, and other factors that contribute to resilience. We’re not there yet—that’s the work.” She said the one thing they do have in common is their cognitive abilities defy the odds of aging. As for Ralph’s diet and exercise habits?
“I eat mostly healthy, and I walk a lot. I do love chocolate chip ice cream. I also continue to learn new things. I recently learned Canasta, and I do the daily Wordle. And, I always have a jigsaw puzzle on the table. Those are my secrets.”
He said being part of the NU program keeps him going. “I am happy to be part of the program, and the work I’m doing with them will continue long after my death. If we can help prevent cognitive disease for future generations, I’m honored to be a part of it.”
When asked if he has any advice for those entering retirement?
“Get involved in something bigger than yourself. It’s so important to meet others and socialize.
Get out of the house, volunteer, take up a hobby you enjoy, find a purpose.”
To learn more about NU’s SuperAging Research Program, contact 312.908.9339 or agingresearch@northwestern.edu.
