Social Connection Trumps Dementia?
by Corinne Rieder
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 11:59
After I posted about the possible merits of moving older adults into an assisted living facility rather than keeping them at home, along comes a story about the benefits of social interaction for older adults. The New York Times article details bridge-playing older residents of the Laguna Woods, California, retirement community. They are part of the University of Southern California’s 90+ Study, ongoing since 1981. The study, like others, has found that engaging in mentally and socially stimulating activities seems to help stave off dementia. It is much more difficult for older adults to find those activities when they are isolated in their own homes, particularly when a medical condition make it difficult for them to travel. Is it the cognitive requirements of bridge strategy or the interaction with other people that makes the difference? Scientists aren’t sure. If I were a betting person, I would put my money on both.
