Suggestion for Promoting Cognitive Health in Late Life

It is again encouraging to note that activities promoting cognitive health in the later years are neither expensive nor complex. Recommendations for enjoyable, readily available activities that promote cognitive health are provided below.

• Older adults will benefit from activities such as working crossword puzzles, learning a foreign language, playing an instrument, learning new computer programs, surfing the Internet, and visiting museums because they involve information processing that may have a buffering effect against cognitive impairment in late life.
• Older Americans can take advantage of free classes offered through local universities, participate in community-based educational programs such as OASIS that are sponsored nationally by the May Company Department Stores, and attend memory enhancement classes. One source for online courses on a variety of topics is www.fathom.com.
• Adults over age 55 can take educational trips through groups such as elder hostel. Visit their website, www.elderhostel.org for information.
• Based upon the principles of neural plasticity, Katz and Rubin (1999) offer a book, Keep Your Brain Alive, filled with cognitively challenging activities designed to keep the brain fit and flexible (www.keepyourbrainalive.com). Examples of these neurobic exercises include using the non-dominant hand to perform routine behaviors such as brushing teeth or combing hair, varying one’s driving route to work, opening the windows when driving and attending to the tapestry of smells encountered, and reading a magazine never previously seen.

These suggestions, like those for promoting physical health, can be incorporated into the life patterns of Baby Boomers so as to positively influence how they feel at age 80.

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