Canny Minds Blog

Keep working…..!

Posted on 04. Jun, 2009 by Mark in Brain Training, General

Keeping mentally active is key. Researchers analysed data from 1,320 dementia patients, including 382 men. They found that for the men, continuing to work late in life helped keep the brain sharp enough to delay dementia taking hold. The study was carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London. It features in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

More people than ever retire later in life to avert financial hardship, but there may be a silver lining – lower dementia risk. It is estimated that the condition already costs the UK economy £17bn a year. Dementia is caused by the mass loss of cells in the brain, and experts believe one way to guard against it is to build up as many connections between cells as possible by being mentally active throughout life. This is known as a “cognitive reserve”. There is evidence to suggest a good education is associated with a reduced dementia risk.

Researcher Professor Simon Lovestone said: “The intellectual stimulation that older people gain from the workplace may prevent a decline in mental abilities, thus keeping people above the threshold for dementia for longer.”  However, he added: “Much more research is needed if we are to understand how to effectively delay, or even prevent, dementia.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said it had carried out work showing that working beyond pension age had many positive effects. “Not only can it mean more income, but also social networking and increased activity.  “We also find that many of today’s older workers are choosing rejecting the cliff edge between work and retirement in favour of a gradual step down. And employers should help them to do this.”

FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE

Photo Courtesy of  Feuillu

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