My title doesn’t refer to an exodus of talented individuals from our country. It alludes to the declining capability of the brain as we age. My friend Ian got me thinking about the brain with his email following:
“While cogitating on retirement-related issues, pressed to the fore by your blog, I’ve been reading a “brain book,” semi-forced upon me by a colleague at the Alzheimer Society [where Ian volunteers]. Those interested in retirement age issues might usefully consider some of the book’s content. One helpful reminder was a review of lifetime brain activity, starting with an intense learning stage in early childhood and continuing through years of schooling when we have to absorb everything from algebra to zoology. Next, employment and, for many, a new family life. As there’s a lot to take in during these years, the brain works overtime.
But, as we get settled in life, we usually glide along successfully by drawing on our acquired knowledge and experience. This is when brain power begins to decline, a victim of “use it or lose it.” Retirees, and even younger folk in their 40s and 50s, be on guard!”
IN WITH THE NEW
“The author attaches much more value to new cognitive exercises than to a continuation of past experiences. It is one thing to be able to dance the steps one has known for decades, quite another to learn something completely new. Perhaps you and Glen might spend a few weeks in Buenos Aires, working up your Spanish and learning the tango? I wanted to get something off to you, as I listen to Sergei Rachmaninoff and prepare dinner for tonight. (Same old soufflé dish; I must branch out into new culinary areas!).”
BRAIN EXERCISES
While I’ll not pursue Ian’s suggestion (it takes two to tango and Glen’s not up for it), I will endeavour to solve a few brain exercises on a regular basis. How about you?
- What has a head and a tail, but no body?
- If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven’t got me. What am I?
- Brothers and sisters I have none, but this man’s father is my father’s son. Who is the man?
- Out driving one night, a father and his son got into a terrible accident. The father was killed, the son badly injured. He was rushed to the hospital emergency room where the surgeon looked at the boy and said, “I can’t operate on him. He’s my son.” Why?
Answers •
Tim McPhail says
Good article Pam, although slightly contradictory of Rally Round Rituals. All about finding the balance I guess.
Ian’s comment on learning Spanish reminded me of a study done at Baycrest years ago regarding dementia.
“The sample was selected from the records of 228 patients referred to a Memory Clinic with cognitive complaints. The final sample consisted of 184 patients diagnosed with dementia, 51% of whom were bilingual. The bilinguals showed symptoms of dementia 4 years later than monolinguals, all other measures being equivalent.”
As Baycrest is a Jewish research and education hospital, I imagine most of the bilinguals had Yiddish or Hebrew as their 2nd language. But the study found that any language will work. And in my opinion, learning to talk to a computer and become a proficient desktop publisher is an equivalent activity.
Starting this website has added a further 4 years to your lucidity Pam 🙂
Tim the Brother
Pam McPhail says
Hmmm, perhaps slightly contradictory. Taking up dancing, as my friends Marie and Ken did in their retirement, offered a new, challenging activity, but it also became a pleasant ritual that now structures their weeks and contributes to their happiness. I think they benefit in all respects from what remains a learning activity for them.
The stress and strain on my brain in creating this website may have negated the positivity of its newness! But I’ll go with your (flattering) belief in an additional 4 years to my lucidity. BTW: did you answer the 4 exercises correctly? That’s a rhetorical question! Pam the Sister
Nina says
An interesting post Pam. Although I have a smattering understanding of the Russian language, I have been toying with the idea of taking lessons to learn to both read and write in Russian. I am hoping that my cognitive skills, or what’s left of them, will improve. As for writing, as you know, I am left handed. I have read studies that conclude that learning to use both hands is an excellent way to keep dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay.
Pam McPhail says
Well said, Nina.