A recent study by researchers at the University of Southampton resulted in new evidence that social activity can slow mental decline at and beyond the age of 50. The study tested 9,000 participants all at the age of 50 in reasoning, memory, and thinking skills, and simultaneously compared their levels of social activity. The results suggest that preventing or at least slowing cognitive decline may not be completely out of our control.
What Happens to Mental Acuity in Old Age?
Cognitive health declines in old age as a combination of:
- Damage from free radicals
- Declining hormone levels
- Chronic inflammation
- Artery damage
- High stress
- Loneliness
- Poor nutrition
- Side effects of medicine
While the body undergoes stresses from disease, medicinal side effects, and mental anguish throughout life, weakening cells and muscles in the aging body suffer on a larger scale. As a result, preventing cognitive decline can be difficult due to its rapid nature, and includes such symptoms as:
- Memory loss – Both short and long-term memory gradually fall apart as the brain deteriorates in old age.
- Decrease in focus – The ability to concentrate becomes more difficult as the brain weakens physically and on a molecular level.
- Trouble with problem solving – The capacity to solve problems suffers as focus and memory become more difficult to grasp.
Singular mental issues tend to cause or turn into additional issues that feed on one another. Rapid mental decline can descend into dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Rapid mental decline can descend into serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Source: nih.gov |
Being Social Can Help
The University of Southampton study found that participants who stayed active in social groups tested higher on their mental health exams. The study also accounted for education and physical health, beyond which researchers remained adamant that social activity contributed to the preservation of mental health.
While the data from the study cannot rule out such possibilities as the inclination toward social activity for more well-educated and mentally alert elderly men and women, it does provide a base for further study on preventing cognitive decline. If future researchers can isolate social factors and control for interference from additional health factors, they may find a more solid body of evidence that suggests a link between social activity and mental preservation.
However, even without unquestionable evidence, social activity can encourage the elderly to live a more active and healthy lifestyle. A nutritious diet coupled with mental and physical exercise helps keep cells healthy and extends their life, aiding in preventing physical and cognitive decline for a longer amount of time.
