How Learning Keeps Us Young
Countless studies have shown lifelong learning helps seniors maintain cognitive health and reduce the effects of aging on the brain. That’s why your Cincinnati or Dayton senior housing advisor at Senior Care Partners will always look for options that provide opportunities for residents to explore old and new interests.
No two people learn in the exact same way, or even feel the same about learning in their Golden Years. Our purpose is to do the right thing for each client by understanding their needs, wants and situation. We work with local communities within the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas and several communities across the country to find the best fit for each senior.
How lifelong learning impacts cognitive health and aging
1. Cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity
- Cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to counteract age-related changes or damage. Learning enhances this reserve, helping individuals maintain cognitive function as they age and face neurological challenges.
- Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to adapt and restructure itself. Learning new skills or gaining knowledge strengthens neural connections and fosters the creation of new pathways, keeping the brain adaptable and robust.
2. Delayed onset of cognitive decline
- Continuous intellectual stimulation has been connected to a reduced risk of age-related cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies show that interesting activities help delay the onset of these conditions by keeping the brain active.
The best senior housing organizations in Southwest Ohio understand this link well, and offer many appealing ways for their residents to stay mentally active.
3. Improved memory and attention
- Learning stimulates memory retention and boosts the attention span by challenging the brain to process, store and retrieve new information. This helps in combating age-related memory decline.
4. Enhanced emotional and mental well-being
- Lifelong learning fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can build self-esteem and reduce depression or feelings of isolation, especially in older adults.
- Learning often happens in social settings, such as group classes or discussions. These social aspects of learning can diminish loneliness and improve emotional health.
At Senior Care Partners, we evaluate senior assisted living facilities in Cincinnati and Dayton partially on the learning opportunities they offer to residents.
5. Increased problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Learning activities—like taking musical instrument lessons, studying a new language or building a new technical skill—enhance problem-solving abilities and critical thinking, keeping the mind sharp.
6. Physical brain changes
- Learning fuels the growth of dendrites (connections between brain neurons) and promotes the release of neurotrophic factors like BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which support brain cell health and survival.
7. Protective lifestyle habits
- Learning and healthier lifestyles often go together; people dedicated to educating themselves often are drawn to other healthy habits, like better nutrition, regular exercise and social activities—all of which support cognitive health and delay aging.
This is another way our senior living advisors appraise facilities in Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio: We ask questions like: Does the organization value resident nutrition, exercise, socialization AND learning? Are residents given appropriate options for both mental and physical activity? Are they encouraged to take part in a wide range of the facility’s offerings?
Ways older adults can keep learning
- Reading books or taking classes.
- Learning new languages, crafts or technologies.
- Participating in community lectures, workshops or hobby groups.
- Playing games or puzzles that challenge the brain, such as chess or Sudoku.
Lifelong learning keeps the mind occupied and helps create a fulfilling and vibrant life. The senior living consultants at Senior Care Partners work hard to make sure the clients we place get the mental stimulation they deserve—no matter what type of housing is appropriate for their needs.
Our services are FREE – contact us to set up a no-obligation consultation today.