Stronger After 55: Your Brain Ages Faster Than Your Body. Here's how you can slow it.

Your weekly guide to help support you in your journey to overcoming health risks, and becoming a brighter, better version of you as you age. This week, we focus on a core pillar that is one of the many determinants of aging itself, cognitive health, as we drive along our unique paths to achieving longevity and wellness 55+. 

SECTION 1: TOP CONCERNS & REAL WORLD ISSUES 

Last week we talked about the inevitability of aging, yet it doesn’t necessarily need to mean drastic decline. Part of the aging process comes with cognitive decline, a factor many individuals tend to overlook when focusing on their journeys to “slowing down” the biological aging clock and decreasing decline. 

This creates one of the largest concerns of 21st century medicine. With the average lifespan increasing by the year, the upscaled prevalence of many aging conditions, cognitive health and neurological conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, and Dementia are continuously on the rise. Memory lapses and mental slowing are the most common fears associated with aging, with growing concern expressed from most adults 55+. The Alzheimer's Association reports an expected 7.2 million Americans 65+ to live with Alzheimer's in 2025, 74% of which are adults 75+, drawing the importance of focusing on Cognitive Health as a pillar of longevity and wellness in aging. 

With the rise of cases in conditions like dementia, many worry about whether they will become a burden to the family. Taking care of patients with cognitive decline conditions can take enormous responsibility, mental strength, and compassion - yet many older adults express more concern about possibly burdening their loved ones than about their own discomfort. 

However, severe cognitive decline is not entirely inevitable - it can be mitigated. And here’s how: 

SECTION 2: MUST-KNOW WELLNESS ADVANCEMENTS 

How-To: Slow Down Cognitive Decline 

It is just as important to keep our brains active as much as our body - and here’s how. 

Cognitive training and lifestyle support approaches combine personalized programs that produce better cognitive outcomes compared to a single method approaches. In other words, the range of cognitive training can vary vastly in order to exercise different parts of the brain to keep consistently active overall - an approach that not only combines mental activities but ones that are physical. NIH reports cognitive-physical training such as “exergames” combining multi-tasking, execution, and memory processes with physical functions is scientifically proven to improve attention span and boost reaction speed - effectively sustaining cognitive health. All of these aspects are vital advancements in ensuring memory and function is retained and cognitive health is improved, alongside lifestyle adaptations through physical health that can heavily affect overall energy and vitality. 

Newest trends in aging innovations come through the form of hobbies - specifically creative ones. The growth of “creative aging” provides older adults an outlet to artistic passions ranging from music to painting, all while providing a community of individuals to connect with and improve social engagement. Social isolation is one of the largest issues older adults face throughout the aging process, and part of that adds onto a cause of cognitive decline. Engaging oneself in an engaging, entertaining passion while creating social connections through walking groups, art programs, and social activities is shown to reduce stress, isolation, and promote mental and cognitive health overall.  

So pick up that paintbrush, start writing that song, or go on a walk with your buddies! These are the first steps and small changes that will make a myriad of differences for your overall longevity, and add years to your prime health span. 

SECTION 3: BEHAVIORS TO BE STOPPED

Loneliness is not “normal”. 

In aging, and especially post retirement, many adults find themselves isolated from the business of life. Throughout the majority of our lives, individuals spend their time and community in places such as work or at home - but when family becomes busy and retirement is in place, the majority of older adults accept loneliness as their new normal, hence isolating themselves away from society. This misconception is the driving force behind development of conditions like dementia, heart disease, and stroke, early on. Human beings need social interactions on a constant basis - we are social creatures by design and evolution. 

Whether it be at a religious gathering, a growing passion for a hobby, or helping out in your local neighborhood, establishing a social community will boost mental health and ward off depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, while feeding our brains with the connections and energy it vitally needs. It is what will ensure you slow down cognitive and physical decline, and the essential foundation of healthy aging in modern day. 

 Loneliness is not normal, surrounding ourselves with laughter, love, and deep connections is.