Will we remain mentally sharp as we age?
It's a question many of us may be thinking about, especially with the rise in health conditions related to ageing and cognitive decline.
What is cognitive decline? According to the Australian Government Health Direct website 'Cognitive impairment can cause problems with a person's thinking, communication, understanding or memory.'
It is good to see a recent study from the UK has proven there is a simple activity that may help our minds stay sharper in later life. Their conclusion is: Playing board games and being socially engaged helps reduce the decline in cognitive function as we age.
Enjoying board games provide health benefits as we age.
The study published by the University of Edinburgh was conducted over 68 years and involved over 1000 people. It found 'consistent evidence that playing more analog games (board games, card games) is associated with significantly less relative decline from age 11 to age 70, and also less cognitive decline from age 70 to age 79.'
Dementia Australia also supports this view, saying there are many ways to look after your mind.
Play games like puzzles, crosswords and card games; and
stay social, enjoy the company of others.
Dr Drew Altschul, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, said: 'These latest findings add to evidence that being more engaged in activities during the life course might be associated with better thinking skills in later life.'
Playing board games help us to be social, engaged and have fun so it is reassuring to know this provides long-term benefits as we age.
For more information you can read the full study where it is published in The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences.