Monash University Study: Certain Activities May Help Older Individuals Avoid Dementia
A recent study conducted by Monash University has found that engaging in certain activities may help older individuals reduce their risk of developing dementia. The study, which utilized data from 10,318 Australians aged 70 and older, identified activities such as taking classes, using a computer, doing crosswords, and playing games like chess as effective in dementia risk reduction.
Interestingly, the study found that socializing did not have an impact on reducing the risk of dementia. This suggests that the type of activity, rather than the act of socializing itself, is crucial in preventing the condition. Participants who engaged in adult literacy and mental acuity tasks were found to be 9-11 percent less likely to develop dementia.
Additionally, activities such as reading, listening to music, watching TV, keeping up with the news, and pursuing creative hobbies were found to reduce the risk by 7 percent. These results remained significant even after adjusting for education levels and socioeconomic status.
Notably, the study found no significant variations in dementia risk reduction between men and women. This indicates that the benefits of these activities apply to both genders equally.
The senior author of the study, Associate Professor Joanne Ryan, suggested that active manipulation of stored knowledge may play a greater role in reducing dementia risk. This implies that engaging in mentally stimulating activities that require the use of memory and cognitive skills may be particularly effective in preventing the onset of dementia.
These findings highlight the importance of incorporating mentally stimulating activities into the daily routines of older individuals. By participating in activities such as adult education classes, crossword puzzles, and chess games, seniors can proactively reduce their risk of developing dementia.
Jala News will continue to cover the latest research on dementia prevention to provide our readers with valuable insights into maintaining brain health in their later years.
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