Superagers' Wisdom: Friendship is Now Your New Brain Food

We’ve all met that elderly friend, relative or stranger whose conversations can be boring and distasteful. It is understandable for them owing to their age and maybe Alzheimer’s disease. But, what if you could initiate friendly discussions whenever you met them? Scientific American reports that having strong social ties with the elderly can be the key to boosting their memories. 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. 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. Do you know some “SuperAgers” have a better memory than some 20 or 30-year-olds? As the post explains, Emily Rogalski of Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s disease Center, 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. Let’s not be annoyed by repeated questions 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. 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.