Page 7 - Engage Spring 2024

the Ageing Brain, and “given that the brain’s decline between 65 and 75 is on average 10 per cent, this is substantial,” he adds.
A study published earlier this year showed that playing a musical instrument or learning something new helps older adults to preserve “youthful neural patterns as well as recruiting additional compensatory brain regions.” Researchers provided “empirical evidence to support that playing music keeps your brain sharp, young and focused.”
Exercise improves brain function - including the positive physiological changes it sparks. A paper published
in Nature last year highlighted that light- intensity exercise, such as walking, was capable of improving memory, while those who engaged in higher-intensity activity (running, for example) had improved spatial memory. Exercise also improves mood and sleep and reduces stress and anxiety.
Many studies have linked low levels of Vitamin B12 with reduced brain function
in older people. Pointing to a study in which the average participant age was 78, André Aleman says, “Those who regularly ate oily fish performed better in memory and concentration tests and had more grey matter [responsible for processing and releasing new information] in their brains.”
Perhaps another question we should also be asking is what is it we can do together? Clearly, the challenge will only get worse unless we, as individuals, friends and family do more to actively combat loneliness.
Maintaining social connections - from lunches to going to church - not only help strengthen cognitive performance in the longer-term, but more immediately too.
A 2021 paper from the Center for Healthy Ageing at Penn State showed that when adults aged 70-90 reported more frequent, pleasant social interactions, their brain function was enhanced that day and for the following two days.
According to Professor Kenny, one of the biggest factors to help extend our healthy lifespan is a sense of purpose. Maintaining
a sense of purpose can be difficult for people who have retired, Professor Kenny says, but it is crucial. “So, when you get up in the morning, have a list of things to do today. Studies have shown that knowing why you wake up in the morning makes you healthier, happier and adds probably up to seven years to your lifespan.”
My thanks to The Telegraph Newspaper for many relevant articles highlighting the importance of the issue of loneliness.
Chris Duff
Chief Executive,
Age UK Northamptonshire
Enjoy a chat with a volunteer Telephone Befriender.
Social activities are also good for brain resilience.
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