Brain Training For Seniors Can Help Protect The Mind Against Disease

By Pamela Hamilton


In many countries, the percentage of the population made up of elderly people is slowly but steadily increasing. Senior citizens often need higher levels of social and medical care. Most local authorities, churches and some charities have programs to stimulate the elderly and to encourage them to remain active within their communities. These programs focus on the needs of the elderly. With brain training for seniors, for example, efforts are made to help the elderly to remain intellectually active.

It is only natural for the elderly to develop various conditions, often chronic ones but with modern medication, these conditions can be managed. The elderly accept the fact that it is not possible to maintain excellent health in old age. What is scary to most of them, however, is the possibility of developing one of the dread diseases that destroys the intellect and renders the memory useless.

One might think that exercise has little to do with the cognitive functions, but this is not true. Regular exercise should be a very high priority for all older people. Not only does exercise help to improve the fitness and flexibility of older people, but they also instill a sense of discipline and structure. Fit people are more active too. Activities such as yoga can also help to improve concentration.

One of the biggest causes of a deteriorating intellect is inertia. It is of great importance to keep busy. Crossword puzzles, scrabble, card games and other enjoyable activities all force one to think, to concentrate and to memorize certain sequences. This definitely helps to stimulate the mind, especially if there is a healthy sense of competition. As an added benefit, hobbies and games require older people to become more social and to interact with others.

Apathy and a general feeling of worthlessness are great and very powerful enemies of the mind. Everyone can still make a contribution to their own communities. One must have a purpose and goals. Charity work and involvement in community activities are therefore very important, because it gives purpose to life. By focusing on giving, older people will find that they themselves are the ones benefitting most.

Intellectual challenges may be one of the best ways in which to prevent dread degenerative conditions. Many older people keep their intellects sharp by learning new skills, by taking up demanding hobbies and by enrolling for formal training. Retired school teachers, for example, can remain intellectually stimulated by offering help to struggling students. Retirement may just be the time to complete a degree or to finally write that book.

Most degenerative diseases are typified by specific symptoms at an early age. It is important to know what these symptoms are and to look out for them. At the first sign of trouble, a thorough medical checkup should be done. If there is a positive diagnosis, the disease will most probably be at an early stage. Modern medication has made it possible to control these diseases for years.

Nobody, not even the most active person, can be sure that they will not fall victim to a degenerative disease. Genetic factors also play a role and mankind still knows very little about the brain. The fact remains, however, that intellectually active people are less likely to develop these diseases.




About the Author: