Danish research suggests today's over 90's are defying mental decline.
Today's nonagenarians are surviving into very old age with better mental performance than ever before.
People born in 1915 scored higher in cognitive tests in their 90s compared with those born a decade earlier, according to a study in The Lancet. Better living standards and intellectual stimulation may be key factors.
The number of people reaching very old age is on the rise globally. In the US, for example, the amount of people aged 90 or above has more than doubled in 30 years. In Denmark, where the study took place, the chance of surviving into the 10th decade of life has gone up by about 30% each decade for people born in 1895, 1905 and 1915.
Today's nonagenarians are surviving into very old age with better mental performance than ever before.
People born in 1915 scored higher in cognitive tests in their 90s compared with those born a decade earlier, according to a study in The Lancet. Better living standards and intellectual stimulation may be key factors.
The number of people reaching very old age is on the rise globally. In the US, for example, the amount of people aged 90 or above has more than doubled in 30 years. In Denmark, where the study took place, the chance of surviving into the 10th decade of life has gone up by about 30% each decade for people born in 1895, 1905 and 1915.
The Denmark University researchers assessed their physical strength, mental functioning, ability to carry out daily living tasks such as walking inside and outside, and any symptoms of depression. Twelve years later, they repeated the study with Danes born in 1915 (2,509 people, aged 94-95). The researchers found that men and women born in 1915 performed better than those born in 1905 in terms of cognitive ability and activities of daily living, even after correcting for changes like better education. However, there has been little research on the quality of life that people reaching such an old age can look forward to.
Source: http://www.genarians.com/ A few names from the Hall of Fame:
Source: http://www.genarians.com/ A few names from the Hall of Fame:
Milton Berle
American actor and comedian, TV's "Texaco Star Theater"
07/12/1908 – 03/27/2002
Irving Berlin
Russian-born American songwriter, "God Bless America", "White Christmas"
05/11/1888 – 09/22/1989
Victor Borge
Danish-born American pianist and humorist
01/03/1909 – 12/23/2000
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
British queen consort, wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II
08/04/1900 – 03/30/2002
George Burns
American actor and comedian, stage partner and spouse of Gracie Allen
01/20/1896 – 03/09/1996
Once elderly people are settled into a retirement home, they don't have enough to stimulate their minds and encourage them to live. My last job in the kitchen of an 'assisted living' home, where residents were given every luxury, pointed out the pitfalls to me. When residents rely on others to perform daily tasks, they lose the reason to carry on.
In England, the National Health has made every effort to adapt people's homes so they can remain there as long as possible. My own flat has been converted to help me with daily life. The shower is now walk-in with a fold down seat and handrails fitted. Handgrips and rails are within easy reach outside the doors, front and back as well as along the slope into the garden. If I can remain in my home, I'll happily work on my computer to write novels, therefore maintaining mental stimulation.
My neighbor will turn 90 this year. He practices yoga, has recently qualified in psychology, and plays a weekly game of tennis. I've mentioned before my intention of writing a book based on his life, which is filled with trauma, adventure and intrigue. His body might be slowing to fit in with his white hair, but his mind is sharp.
In England, the National Health has made every effort to adapt people's homes so they can remain there as long as possible. My own flat has been converted to help me with daily life. The shower is now walk-in with a fold down seat and handrails fitted. Handgrips and rails are within easy reach outside the doors, front and back as well as along the slope into the garden. If I can remain in my home, I'll happily work on my computer to write novels, therefore maintaining mental stimulation.
My neighbor will turn 90 this year. He practices yoga, has recently qualified in psychology, and plays a weekly game of tennis. I've mentioned before my intention of writing a book based on his life, which is filled with trauma, adventure and intrigue. His body might be slowing to fit in with his white hair, but his mind is sharp.
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