Brain Fitness and Neuroplasticity: The Key to Your Aging Parents’ Best Life
Brain fitness should be a new goal for your aging parents.
True or False.Our brain functions diminish with age.
The old beliefs about the human brain have now fallen by the wayside. New technologies confirm amazing things that we never knew before. For instance, we used to believe that the brain was fully formed in childhood and our cellular functions only diminished as we age. Instead, scientists have discovered neuroplasticity and neurogenesis continue throughout our lifetime.
New research has confirmed that the human brain continues to grow -- in fact new cells are continually created (a process called neurogenesis) until we die. If you help your parents remain active -- both mentally and physically -- the process of neurogenesis is enhanced. This clip from a PBS special introduces the new excitement within the scientific community.
Brain Fitness counteracts Alzheimer's disease
Even more amazing is how flexible and adaptable the human brain becomes with continued vigorous use (neuroplasticity). In fact, cognitive reserve can develop, which counteracts the effects of diminished capacity, including Alzheimer’s disease. Too good to be true? How about this finding from research:
“Individuals who lead mentally stimulating lives… have reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Studies suggest that they have 35-40% less risk of manifesting the disease. The pathology will still occur, but they are able to cope with it better. Some won’t ever be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s because they don’t present any symptoms. In studies that follow [seemingly] healthy elders over time and then [who] get autopsies, up to 20% of people who did not present any significant problem in their daily lives have full blown Alzheimer’s pathology in their brains.”
More brain cells and pathways have been stored up (brain reserve and cognitive reserve) so if some are destroyed by age or disease, there are many more left to work with.
What your parents do with their time, makes a difference.
Helping your parents sustain a mentally stimulating life is the key. Scientists have concluded that “Learning is physical.” As your parents are involved in more and more activities, physically and mentally -- their brains and their lives will benefit.
Going to the gym, swimming, even a brisk walk boosts not only the body, but the brain of your aging parents.
That's the conclusion of a review published this week by the Association for Psychological Science. It's not a new idea; the paper surveys the available research on the topic and concludes that cognitive enrichment activities—puzzles, social interaction, and the like—may well help you preserve brain function as you age. But they were especially complimentary towards physical activity. "What is most impressive to us," the authors write, "is the evidence demonstrating benefits of aerobic physical exercise on cognitive functioning in older adults."
Help Your Parents Create a Senior Exercise Plan
Regular physical activity promotes growth of brain cells, releases chemicals that enhance mood, and promotes deep restorative sleep at night. Helping your parents
create a simple exercise plan
will help their bodies, but also their brain. You can start with these simple exercises below if your parents have been relatively inactive. Some can be done from a chair, others while standing. They will increase muscle strength, balance, control, as well as the mental stimulation of learning a new activity.
Senior exercise is more than a good idea for your aging parents. Researchers continue to discover contributions even beyond general strength and health. Here you will find exercises especially designed for senior citizens: Warm up Exercises, Balance, Upper Body, Lower body, and Aerobic.
