I had always wanted to learn Italian, and in my late 60's I signed up for a course, and even was able to use my language a few years ago in Italy. We still meet for conversational Italian.

I am so looking for some new information.

This article is SO VERY OLD with the information given.

I personally wrote articles on this very information , about 2 years ago?

Didn't mention aerobic exercise to promote neurogenesis. Very important and hardest for many people to get their bodies moving.

I am 74 years old and still am studying natural health. At the age of 70, I decided to go to collage and get a degree as a Master Herbalist. I have been studying the raising of natural health plants most of my life with hands on experince learning how to grow the plants and how to reconize them in the wild. Also I traveled for 18 years while my husband was in the military to other states and countries and learned about their wild healing plants and use of them from their holistic health practioners. But I did not have any schooling from a collage on the subject.

So at 70 I enrolled in a Holistic Health collage and started studing about the human body and about healing the body with Natural Health Practices instead of medicine. I gradulated with a 93 score. I then set up a little free clinic in my home for the poor people in my community. After 2 years I decided to go back to college and get a degree as a Holistic Health Practioner and gradurated with a 96 score.

During this time I found my mind got more active and my responce to everything around me seemed quicker and more interesting. I started finding that other peoples problems were more important to me than my own problems. I am not as self centered as I use to be and life is more worth living. I am not bored with life any more as I use to be.I find I like the challange of helping others and raising my herb gardens. I love sharing my herbal mixtures with everyone and it is a Joy to have them tell me they are getting better and they do not hurt with pain in their joints any more etc.

Useing my mind,and body gave me a new outlook on life and staying active has given me a healther body. People are surprised when they ask me my age and I say 74. They tell me that I look and act like I am in my early 50,s.

Enjoying My World

before I went to college I felt and looked my age. It is true that if you do not use all of your body, you will loose it. Get active in body and mind and you can regain your mind and body functions and get back your life and a joy in living , especilly if you live for other. .

If you play the piano (or another instrument), learn a new technique. I've been trying jazz for the last year or so — a completely new rhythm from what I've played all my life, which is challenging and fun — it keeps me going to the piano! I started it by picking up a music book at a used book store. In fact, a used book store (or yard sale) is a great place to get new ideas that expand your mind without blowing out your savings!

Use it or lose it is a law of nature. I've been reading about the Nun Study, started by the University of Minnesota in 1986, which is following 678 nuns, aged 75 to 107 years old at the beginning. Their order required them to write autobiographical essays on joining. Average age was 22. The "idea rich" essays were linked to a low rate of dementia later in life. The mechanical, rigid essays that simply listed facts were linked to a much higher rate of dementia. Fascinating study. Only 50 nuns are still alive, but the university is planning a second nun study. The nuns donated their brains for study after their deaths. Their order is a teaching order and they wanted to keep on teaching after their deaths.

Many people operate at a low level of mental functioning most of their lives, even some with supposedly good educations. When they age, it only takes the loss of a few neurons to push them over into functioning so low they can't handle the tasks of everyday living.

Article was very insightful and helpful!! I already do some of the topics discussed, but will be adding more. Thank you, Lynda Randall

very good. I believe being with children helps also. Many older people sit around together discussing the obituaries etc. I have nothing to do with that. I watch my grandchild after school and I have the fun that children have. I do believe reading is great. I am a fan of a book store and read and varied topics. I have a collection of books at home. I love walking the dog and talking to neighbors. I also eat very healthy. I have been mostly vegetarian most of my life. I have benefited from my lifestyle. I believe that sitting around talking about the old days is a sure way to decline.
I am 72 and I have bought a house by myself and I maintain it. I have a son with autism which is a challenge.
I am starting using my non dominate hand and changing routes. This is a nice wake up call to tell people they don't have to decline physically and mentally.

Great help to revitalise the elderly with such lucid pointers to prevent dementia; I have found emailing to friends or our loved ones updating ourselves or discussing points of interest, reading newspaper daily or on websites promote awareness and energise our brain. The good old BBS (Bulletin Board Service) had given me before the inception of Internet era quite good channel of communal brain storming on current affairs thus sharpening my perspectives.