Never too old to learn: lifelong learning for better brain health and reduced dementia risk
Why exactly did Vytality’s Co-President Nicole Dyer get up crazy early one day last week to run around a football stadium? Here’s why!
“Kicked off my morning embracing Harvard’s timeless tradition with a 5:55am stadium climb as part of the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. Energizing start to the day!”
Nicole joined 70 female business owners on the “Leading Business and Personal Transitions” week at Harvard Business School, organised by the Women Presidents Organization. After what she described as an “incredible, intensive, and inspiring week”, Nicole is keen to share her new knowledge:
“I’m excited to bring back these invaluable learnings to my team at Vytality at Home and elevate our game to the next level!”
Learning throughout life
In the past, we might have had opportunities for work-related personal development and training to boost our skills and bring us up to date. That continuous learning shouldn’t stop just because we’re retired or receiving home care. As Mahatma Gandhi said: “Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Your flexible brain
Your brain isn’t in a fixed state; it can grow and rewire/reorganize itself through new connections and changes known as neuroplasticity. Brain changes can result simply from learning a new skill, and practicing a known one. What’s more we don’t lose this ability just because we’re getting older:
“Plasticity is more limited in an older brain, but remains an important contributor to development, learning, memory, and recovery.”
Using your brain reserve capacity
If you’re the kind of person who has used their brain throughout their life to learn, develop and grow whether through your job or academic study, you may have a higher cognitive reserve to draw on in later life. This reserve provides you with “Greater functional resilience and resistance to cognitive decline”.
Three lifelong learning activities for seniors at home
Now you have learned the science, here are three ways to keep your brain active and ‘plastic’ in older age.
1. Learn a new language
Learning a new language literally changes your brain. Our brains consist of neurons which are connected by dendrites. People who are bilingual (speak two languages fluently) have more neurons and dendrites that those who only speak one language.
According to a Cambridge University learning resource:
“Having new experiences (novelty) is an important factor in forming new connections in the brain and strengthening nervous system links. These links and connections are maintained through regular practice.
Studying a new language combines novelty with practice. This combination is one of the reasons that language learning is such an effective brain workout and protects older learners against dementia and other degenerative neurological conditions.”
You don’t need to even leave your armchair these days to learn a new language. App such as Babbel or DuoLinga can be downloaded onto your smart phone, tablet or iPad. You can learn the language of your choice at your own pace. Simply work through the modules, listen to podcasts, watch webinars, and join live classes if you want to.
2. Practice your music skills
Practicing your musical skills ticks the two main boxes cited above: novelty and practice. Learning a new piece of music combines these perfectly. You are discovering something you’ve never played before and practicing playing it to whatever standard you want. Once again, the internet is great for music learning resources, from video music lessons to play-along backing tracks.
And, of course, if you don’t play any musical instrument, learning to do so will benefit your brain health too! According Anne Corbett, Professor in Dementia Research NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre:
“We are able to look at individual aspects of the brain function, such as short-term memory, long-term memory, and problem-solving and how engaging (in) music affects that. Specifically, playing an instrument has a particularly big effect, and people who continue to play into an older age see an additional benefit.”
if you’re looking for an instrument to learn that’s easy to literally pick up and play, why not join the growing number of seniors playing the ukulele? They come in a wide range of sizes, are remarkably inexpensive to buy, and there are masses of excellent resources online to teach you to play. What’s more, the use of your hands to play can help keep them flexible and strong. Have fun!
3. Write and do puzzles
If you love puzzles and do them regularly, you could reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive decline. According to one study:
“High levels of cognitive activity, such as reading, playing games like checkers and puzzles, and writing letters, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by 5 years among those aged 80 years and over.”
It seems that it doesn’t really matter what kind of puzzles you choose either, with writing a journal, playing chess, cards and other games, and solving crossword puzzles all being associated with a lower risk of developing dementia when practiced regularly.
How home care can help
At Vytality at Home, our caregivers represent the wonderfully diverse population here in Calgary. So, if you’re learning Spanish, we could arrange for a Spanish speaking caregiver to come in for companionship, a cup of tea and a chat in Español!
Our caregivers also really enjoy playing games and solving puzzles with our customers. We can’t guarantee they will be chess grand masters or sudoko superstars, but they are always happy to learn a new game themselves!
And what could be better than an appreciative audience for your latest musical masterpiece, followed by a chat, a welcome cuppa and perhaps a slice of opera cake!
Watch how to make one here:
For more information on our Calgary homecare services, or to book a consultation for you or a loved one:
