Importance of Cognitively Stimulating Activities for Older Adults
According to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in the USA has increased significantly, and projections suggest that by 2100, life expectancy will increase to 88.78 years, leading to more elderly individuals with cognitive problems (“Ghe: Life Expectancy”). The increase will significantly impact the healthcare system, as the number of older adults with cognitive problems will increase. Cognitive issues can range from mild cognitive impairment to more severe forms of dementia.
As people age, they become more susceptible to cognitive decline due to brain structure and function changes. This decline can lead to various adverse outcomes, including reduced quality of life, loss of independence, and increased healthcare costs. Therefore, finding effective ways to prevent or slow down cognitive decline in older adults is essential for maintaining their physical and mental health and reducing healthcare costs.
With medical and technological developments, life expectancy has increased, and cognitive illnesses and degeneration have become the main problem faced by the elderly, preventing them from remaining part of society, being independent, and enjoying fulfilling lives (Schultz et al.). These conditions can prevent seniors from staying independent and enjoying a fulfilling life. Cognitive decline is a significant factor leading to older adults’ dependency (Schultz et al.). Furthermore, technological advancements can leave seniors behind, which may make it difficult for them to continue functioning in society.
As technology evolves, seniors must learn to adapt to new technology to remain connected and engaged with the world (Wilkowska et al.). Addressing these challenges and ensuring seniors can live fulfilling lives as they age is essential. This requires understanding the benefits of cognitively stimulating activities and the impact that continued learning can have on seniors’ cognitive function and overall well-being.
The significant increase in life expectancy will lead to more elderly individuals with cognitive problems, and they must be able to enjoy living while minimizing the impact of their aging on families, sons, and daughters. Some seniors consider themselves too old or ill to learn after a certain age. Studies in neuro gerontology are relatively new, and little is known concerning the training needed to obtain benefits (Casper).
Despite opponents suggesting that there is no added value for older people to train their brains, there is evidence that proves a positive impact on people continuing to gain knowledge in their social skills, memory, and disease prevention. This claim is based on the fact that cognitive decline is a common concern among aging adults and that there is a need to develop interventions that can help mitigate this decline. Studies have shown that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities can help promote cognitive health in older adults. For example, a survey by Schultz et al. (2015) found that participation in cognitively stimulating activities was associated with better brain structure and cognitive function in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Learning is an essential part of participating in society. People lacking socialization are more likely to suffer from mental illnesses. Social connections are vital for health and well-being at all ages. According to Van Orden et al. (2021), social isolation and loneliness are linked to increased risk for depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and mortality among older adults.
- Learning challenges are essential in modern societies. As Hake (1999) notes, the rapid pace of technological advancements and changes in the job market require individuals to continue learning throughout their lives to stay competitive and engaged in society.
- My mother, who is in her 70s, has struggled with depression and anxiety in recent years, which I believe is partially due to her lack of social connections and intellectual stimulation.
The evidence supports the thesis that cognitively stimulating activities are crucial for older adults. In particular, social connections and continued learning can significantly impact mental health and well-being. As society becomes increasingly globalized and technologically advanced, the need for ongoing learning and socialization becomes even more critical. Without these opportunities, individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse outcomes, such as depression and cognitive decline.
Detraditionalization, globalization, and institutionalized reflexivity have caused learning to be a vital aspect of all social relations. Despite its many benefits, globalization offers new learning challenges for society, which it currently needs help to cope with. Such learning challenges are typical of late modern societies, with lifelong learning being a necessary part of society. According to theories of developmental psychology, interpersonal and social happiness and an absence of meaningful social connections are related to lower quality of life, harmful behaviors, and mortality. The danger of premature death from a lack of social interaction is like the risk of eating a poor diet, lack exercise, abusing alcohol, and smoking.
Continuing to learn leads to psychological improvement.
- Jenkins and his colleagues (cited in Narushima et al., 2018) conducted a longitudinal study on the effects of lifelong learning on the psychological well-being of older British adults. They found that participation in formal and informal learning activities was associated with better mental health outcomes, including improved self-esteem and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Older adults with low incomes, less education, and limited social support are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and poor mental health outcomes, as noted by Jafari et al. (2015).
The evidence supports the idea that continued learning can improve psychological well-being in older adults. In particular, lifelong learning opportunities can give older adults a sense of purpose and accomplishment, leading to improved self-esteem and better mental health outcomes. This is especially important for older adults at a higher risk for poor mental health due to limited social support or financial resources.
By providing opportunities for older adults to engage in cognitively stimulating activities, we can help promote better psychological well-being and improve the overall quality of life. Psychological well-being is vital for all human beings, but it might be even more challenging to achieve in older age due to various factors that impact the personal, family, economic, and social condition of older people. Many psychology and health studies have demonstrated that higher psychological well-being leads to a better quality of life, fewer diseases, and a lower mortality rate.
Continuing to learn helps older people prevent dementia.
- Studies have shown that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia in older adults. According to a survey by Panitsides (2014), lifelong learning can be used as a tool to tackle the aging phenomenon, and it is a necessary means to enable older people to remain healthy and independent. The study highlights the benefits of engaging in lifelong learning activities, such as attending educational courses or learning new skills, to promote brain health and prevent cognitive decline. The study also shows that mental stimulation through learning can improve cognitive function, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, which can help delay the onset of dementia.
- Another study conducted in Delaware by Flexman (2021) supports the idea that lifelong learning can help prevent cognitive decline in older adults. The study examined the effects of mental stimulation on cognitive function in older adults and found that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities, such as reading or playing brain games, can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The study suggests that promoting lifelong learning activities can effectively prevent dementia in older adults.
The evidence from both studies supports the thesis that continuing to learn can help prevent dementia in older adults. Engaging in lifelong learning activities is an effective way of promoting brain health and preventing cognitive decline. These activities stimulate the brain and can improve cognitive function, which can help delay the onset of dementia. Furthermore, promoting lifelong learning can also help older adults become more independent and reduce their welfare and medical expenses, as they are less likely to require long-term care or medical intervention. Therefore, it is vital to encourage and support lifelong learning activities in older adults to promote healthy aging and prevent dementia.
The link between education and health is well-known and meaningful.
- Supporting evidence (Mirowski and Ross) indicates that education allows people to develop a broad range of skills and traits, including cognitive and problem-solving abilities, learned effectiveness, and personal control, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
- According to Cutler and Lleras-Muney, more educated people are more likely to live longer in developed countries like the US, Canada, and Western and Eastern Europe and in developing countries like Bangladesh, Korea, and China.
The evidence shows a strong correlation between education and better health outcomes. As people acquire education, they tend to develop better cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills that help them make informed decisions related to their health. Furthermore, education equips people with the knowledge and resources to adopt healthy lifestyle choices, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health. The link between education and health is also evident in countries with higher education levels, where people are more likely to be healthy and live longer. Therefore, promoting cognitive activities among older adults is essential in improving their health outcomes.
Although some senior people believe that they are too old or ill to be able to learn when they realize that their cognitive function is declining and consider continuing education to be a waste of both time and resources, this belief is misguided because it is possible to learn at any age.
- Personal experience can refute this argument. Many older adults have continued learning and improving their cognitive abilities despite age.
- According to Valenzuela et al., studies of mental activity correlated with a reduced rate of hippocampal atrophy, indicating that continuing to engage in cognitive activities can help preserve brain function in older adults.
Despite the belief that older adults cannot learn new things, research suggests that engaging in cognitive activities can help preserve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Encouraging older adults to participate in cognitively stimulating activities like learning new skills, solving puzzles, and playing games are essential to promote their mental health. By doing so, they can not only improve their cognitive abilities but also lead to better overall health outcomes. Therefore, continuing education and engagement in cognitive activities are crucial for older adults to maintain and improve their mental health.
Works Cited
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