Cognitive Health and Older Adults Cognitive health—the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember—is an important component of brain health. Others include: Motor function—how well you make and control movements Emotional function—how well you interpret and respond to emotions Sensory function—how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch, including pressure, pain, and temperature This guide focuses on cognitive health and what you can do to help maintain it. Take Care of Your Physical Health Taking care of your physical health may help your cognitive health. Get recommended health screenings. Eat Healthy Foods A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. In general, a healthy diet consists of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; lean meats, fish, and poultry; and low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Researchers are looking at whether a healthy diet can help preserve cognitive function or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Be Physically Active Health Problems
6 simple steps to keep your mind sharp at any age Everyone has the occasional "senior moment." Maybe you've gone into the kitchen and can't remember why, or can't recall a familiar name during a conversation. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but aging alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline. When significant memory loss occurs among older people, it is generally not due to aging but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness. Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits: staying physically active getting enough sleep not smoking having good social connections limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day eating a Mediterranean style diet. Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active. 1. A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Eight Habits That Improve Cognitive Function | Psychology Today Singapore The New York Times recently published an article about the "brain fitness" business, "Do Brain Workouts Work? Science Isn’t Sure." I believe the answer is no. Without a variety of other daily habits, these "brain-training" games cannot stave off mental decline or dramatically improve cognitive function. Most of these brain-training games will have some benefits, but it's impossible to optimize brain connectivity and maximize neurogenesis (growth of new neurons) sitting in a chair while playing a video game on a two-dimensional screen. In order to give your brain a full workout, you need to engage both hemispheres of the cerebrum, and of the cerebellum. article continues after advertisement Although the cerebellum constitutes only 10 percent of the brain by volume, it houses over 50 percent of the brain's total neurons. Brain-Training Games Increase Sedentary Screen Time I slightly disagree. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. "Sleep is not just a waste of time," Yuka Sasaki concludes. 8.
How to reduce the risk of cognitive decline with age Research into how we can keep our brains healthy as we age has gained momentum in recent years. There is now an increased focus on the changes that we can makes to our health and lifestyle, which may prevent dementia. Here are some things that research has shown reduce a person’s risk of cognitive decline with age. Sex Our latest study shows that having more sex is associated with better cognitive function. We recruited 28 men and 45 women, aged between 50 and 83, to take part in our study. The association could be the result of the heightened levels of intimacy and companionship inherent in sexual relationships (that is, an increase in social contact), or there could be a purely biological explanation – where regular surges in arousal and release of sex-related hormones (such as oxytocin and dopamine) could be affecting brain function. Sleep Many studies show that getting enough sleep is important for preventing cognitive decline. Active leisure Gender equality Get an early (in life) start
Predictors of maintaining cognitive function in older adults Abstract of the video: Aging and cognitive abilities The Impact of Age on Cognition Physical Activity and Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Elderly Persons | Dementia and Cognitive Impairment | JAMA Neurology Context Dementia is common, costly, and highly age related. Little attention has been paid to the identification of modifiable lifestyle habits for its prevention. Objective To explore the association between physical activity and the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Design, Setting, and Subjects Data come from a community sample of 9008 randomly selected men and women 65 years or older, who were evaluated in the 1991-1992 Canadian Study of Health and Aging, a prospective cohort study of dementia. Main Outcome Measure Incident cognitive impairment and dementia by levels of physical activity at baseline. Results Compared with no exercise, physical activity was associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and dementia of any type. Conclusion Regular physical activity could represent an important and potent protective factor for cognitive decline and dementia in elderly persons. Follow-up was carried out in 1996-1997 (CSHA-2).
Want to add more life to your years? Social connections ... When we’re young, we expect to live forever. It’s easy to stay focused on the present and avoid thinking about a reality that we all inevitably face – aging. But in our later years, we become aware of how everyday actions can contribute to a more fruitful life. Fostering social connections is one key to healthy aging, which is why Humana is sponsoring Active Aging Week, Oct. 1-7, a celebration of active living. The theme this year is “Redefining Active” which is designed to highlight how being active throughout the years means staying physically, emotionally and socially engaged. Studies have shown that more socially active older adults maintain their cognitive abilities for much longer than those who aren’t as social [1]. Movement and exercise Use it or lose it. Nutrition Curious about another way to boost time spent with others? Diet is certainly one component of healthy aging, but there’s more to nutrition than watching your salt intake or cholesterol. Intergenerational relationships