Think on it: how mindfulness and adult education can help slow cognitive decline
According to the World Health Organization, the proportion of older adults worldwide will double between the years 2000 and 2050. Many of this older population will experience cognitive decline, with the areas most affected being:
executive function, attention and memory.
“Executive function includes cognitive, emotional, and motor abilities, including the ability to self-monitor, plan, organize, reason, be mentally flexible, and problem-solve. It guides how people organize their lives, plan, and implement their plans.”
The quest to find new ways to slow decline in cognitive function in an increasingly aging population has resulted in scientific numerous breakthroughs, from early detection through blood tests to lifestyle changes to modify dementia risks.
Many of these lifestyle changes revolve around physical health, activities and a balanced diet, but the key element of keeping the aging mind intellectually active is becoming far more apparent.
When we set up Vytality at Home five years ago, cognitive stimulation and engagement were at the core of all our home care services, and they still are. Quality mental stimulation and interaction takes time so our home care visits are two hours long. This allows us sufficient time for the necessities of personal care, plus the cognitive benefits (and enjoyment!) of a good chat about the news, a “brain game” or crossword puzzle, or whatever our customers and their caregivers feel is best for them.
Keeping the aging mind active
Two recent studies suggest two more unusual ways of keeping the mind active:
- Going to university late in life
- Practicing mindfulness
Back into education
Many of our senior generations may not have had the opportunity to study at university because of costs, family, cultural and other expectations. However, attending university over the age of 60 can significantly improve the outlook for the rate of cognitive decline.
A team from the Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre at the University of Tasmania conducted a long-term study over 7 years. 500 cognitively unimpaired adults with a median age of 60 who were offered free university study. The team found that:
“Later‐life university study was associated with improved cognitive trajectories. Later‐life education may preserve cognitive function, specifically for functions associated with communication, social interaction, and maintaining independence.”
Full-time university is a major undertaking, so if life (or finances) don’t allow you to take on a degree, look at short summer courses, weekly language classes, joining a hobby group, anything that gives you the opportunity to learn new information. The social benefits will be great fun too!
The benefits of mindfulness
One recent research result suggests a cheaper alternative: mindfulness. According to a team based in Brazil:
“Mindfulness is defined as the awareness that arises from paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally. A second, but interrelated, perspective understands mindfulness as the cognitive flexibility that allows people to recreate categories and includes components such as being:
– open to the new
– alert to distinctions
– sensitive to different contexts
– aware from different perspectives.”
The team noted that higher levels of mindfulness may help bridge the gap for those with limited education to boost their cognitive function without the need to undertake further education.
Mindfulness is much easier to integrate into daily life than timetabled education, allowing anyone to focus on the moment regardless of what that moment involves. Mindfulness, for example, can be useful in diet control, allowing people to literally ‘savour the moment’ and taste the food, rather than just eat.
Meditation and the calm mind
Another review of various published research pointed to the positive impact of meditation on those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline.
Meditation can have a number of health benefits, helping to:
- Reduce stress
- Reduce depression
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve your memory
- Manage chronic pain
- Improve your blood circulation
The team noted that:
“All studies reported significant findings or trends towards significance in a broad range of measures, including a reduction of cognitive decline, reduction in perceived stress, increase in quality of life, as well as increases in functional connectivity, percent volume brain change and cerebral blood flow in areas of the cortex.”
Guided meditation classes for seniors can be accessed online, or may be available at your local community centre, along with other mindful activities such as armchair yoga. The Arthritis Society Canada also has online guided meditation videos to help those with the condition (or indeed any chronic pain) “To approach pain differently and help diminish its intensity.”
Mindful home care from Vytality at Home
For more information on our Calgary home care services, or to book a consultation for you or a loved one:
