Why do elderly people often find themselves involve with lesser activities and just assume the joy of watching their children grow up or attend to their grandkids after they retire.
Although it still boils down to personal preference, there is already a large number of studies to suggest that remaining mentally fit is very crucial for an active and healthy aging. These studies not only confirm the long-held belief that elderly people enjoy being mentally challenged and having active brain, they also show evidence of the benefits of keeping continuous cognitive development for senior citizens or older people.
Some examples of these studies were shown In the recent article in USNews Health, entitled Brain Falters Near End of Life, but Games, Puzzles Might Slow Decline, presenting the results of two new research projects, to be published online in the journal Neurology, and supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging and the Illinois Department of Health. These studies are spearheaded by Robert Wilson, the lead author and professor of neurological sciences and behavioral sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and offered insights to clarify how to halt the rapid cognitive declines as people age. These researches aconfirm that intellectually challenging activities help to keep the mind sharp, active and alert. Robert Wilson proposed that, "Engaging in mentally stimulating activities is one course to improving the health of your brain."
The Institute of Aging Research - a research body affiliated with Harvard Medical School further explained that, if personal lifestyle choices like engaging in intellectually-stimulating and other lifestyle modifications are one of the best hopes for elderly people to stave off or reduce the risk for dementia in their lifetime. Moreover, a recent study from Cochrane Collaboration from United Kingdom conceded that cognitive stimulation therapies have beneficial effects on memory and thinking for senior citizens who are already suffering from an on-set case of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
So if aging is the only way to live a longer life, make it worthwhile by keeping busy with new learning, new acquaintances and new discoveries each day. Yes, you are never really too old for it. Enrolling in learning courses designed specifically for senior citizens can be a fun way to stimulate your brain which will not only add extra years to their life but will also make the life they live in a healthy one. After all, according to the research book “The Aging Mind: Opportunities in Cognitive Research”1, cognitive decline is the main threat for the abilities of elder people to continue enjoying their favorite activities and a major additional threat to quality of their life.
1. Paul C. Stern and Laura L. Carstensen, Editors; Committee on Future Directions for Cognitive Research on Aging, Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences, National Research Council
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