The Benefits of Lifelong Learning for Adults 50-plus
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you ” B. B. King
It’s a fact…old dogs CAN learn new tricks…and with a lot less effort than we
previously thought. And science is backing up this claim with convincing results.

Take, for example, the case study of nine older women (one age 85!) who were trained for a research survey to perform assessments of their peers. All the
indicators from this experiment clearly supported  the beneficial effects of learning on seniors’ mental, physical, and social health. These women also
reported increased self-esteem and an enhanced ability to express ideas. In short, these women were “poster-seniors” for the beneficial effects of lifelong
learning.

Dementia Care: Life Long Learning Fortifies the Mind

Lifelong learning…it’s a popular expression these days among gerontologists and others engaged in helping seniors learn how to stay empowered, healthy and happy Sowhatarewetalkingabouthealthy, and happy. So what are we talking about when we use this catchphrase? It’s pretty simple, really, lifelong learning is the process of keeping your mind and body engaged-at any age-by actively
pursuing knowledge and experience.

Learning is now universally recognized as one of the most important factor in keeping a person’s mind active and agile. Brain experts believe that active learning helps maintain brain health by preventing loss of brain function and cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning, and judgment. That’s why increasing numbers of older adults are enrolling in various forms of continuing education in the U.S.
and Canada. It’s also why seniors are retiring in droves to college towns across the nation. In fact, when a group of older adults, age 55-75, were asked if they would be interested in lifelong learning and living in a college atmosphere, more than half of the respondents said they like the idea of retiring to a home on a college campus.
Although we know that many seniors are dealing with declining cognitive skills, the good news is that age-related brain function loss is not a necessary outcome of aging. The effects of changes within the brain can be moderated by environmental factors, such as intellectual stimulation. Moreover, formal education, leisure activities, and professional pursuits can all contribute to keeping the mind stimulated and healthy. “We can make the brain work better simply by accumulating more knowledge, which builds more networks of connections in the brain…the wisdom that we acquire can compensate for the  decline that may be gradually occurring,” says one neurobiologist.