Can Good Old Friends Be the Best Brain Booster as You Age?

How often do you have a little chat with your 80-year-old grandma or even that 77-year old grandpa? Is it a normal, exciting conversation about what you like, soccer, technology, gossip or anything interesting?

No? Well, maybe you hate speaking with them because they are understandably out-of-touch with what’s happening currently and maybe Alzheimer’s disease. In an attempt to help us understand and even create better conversations with the elderly, Judith Graham presents a post that’s been scientifically proven to work!

Having strong social ties with the elderly can be the key to boosting their memories!

Making a centenarian have a fantastic memory is possible, a factor that’s even scientifically correct, as per a research done at the Northwestern University. After examining what she terms as “SuperAgers” for nine years, a post titled Good Friends Might Be Your Best Brain Booster as You Age says it all. In a series of stories that include several 70-year-olds, 90 and even a 103-year-old grandmother, including a few with Alzheimer’s disease, the point was clear.

Unbelievably, “SuperAgers” have a better memory than some 20, 30-year-olds!

Furthermore, Emily Rogalski of Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s disease Center says it is possible to enhance the memory of an elderly. The secret to this is, according to several respondents, is having satisfying, warm, trusting relationships. It may sound unreal, perhaps impossible, but as several caregivers from a couple of retirement homes say, it is always the liveliest members that tend to exhibit higher memory levels.

You can also convert those nags and boring lectures he/she gives into fruitful heart-to-heart!

Gurolnick of a group called Men Enjoying Leisure tries to discuss a plethora of topics, including divorce, illness, children who can’t find jobs and a lot more. And it isn’t all about talking while sitting down that can boost their brains, apparently. Even a small even walk, evening chats over coffee and anything that’s sure to keep your elderly friend engrossed is excellent in cultivating good relationships.

The Parting Shot

Whether you have read something like this before or not, there’s little doubt, this Scientific American’s post will be a timely solution to what many do face and hate every day. Yes – be the conversation driver, let them be happy, and you will soon help that octogenarian remember other stuff.

Instead of shying away from that elderly friend just because he/she will ask the same thing over and over again, strive to leave beautiful memories every day, even when it’s for an hour or two. For them, social relationships are priceless and go a long way in enhancing their cognition, according to several studies. This mainly appeals to the caregiving population who are tired with the dull chats they usually have.

To go through the entire post, click here.

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