Be Social and Stay Sharp As You Age

As the Baby Boomers generation enters retirement and we approach a novel time in our nation’s existence when there will be more people over the age of 65 than any other age group, just about everyone is searching for the magic method to prolong quality of life as we age. Diet and exercise are always at the forefront of the conversation, but new research is suggesting that social and emotional factors may play a pretty significant part as well.

Scientists have known for some time that social interaction (or lack thereof) may be linked in some way with dementia, chronic disease and risk of early death as we age. But without a clear mechanism or evidence of a causal relationship, the question has always been which one comes first. Does social isolation perpetuate cognitive decline, or does development of dementia hinder sociability?

A recent study in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society brings new light to this debate, showing that the rate of cognitive decline in the most socially active older adults was 70% lower than that of their least social peers. The study followed more than 1100 individuals without dementia at onset, average age 79.6, for up to 12 years. By continually measuring social activity and global cognitive function, the results actually conveyed a dose-response relationship between social activity and cognitive decline. Basically, a little social interaction made a little difference, and a lot of social activity made an even larger difference!

So what can we learn from this? While diet and exercise will always be large players in the game of aging well, the more recently revealed mind-body power of emotional and social vitality might have an equal stake. So no matter how busy our lives get and how much our social circles shrink as we age, we all must take the time to be the social individuals we evolved to be: go out with friends, join a local group or club, convene with family and never let go of those that you love and love you.

James B., Wilson RS., Barnes LL. And Bennett DA. Late-Life Social Activity and Cognitive Decline in Old Age. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. 2011, 17:1-8.

For more tips on nutrition, exercise, and healthy living, contact your personal health coach at mygpns.com.

Link to article sited above (http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1355617711000531)