Friday, February 20, 2009

Elderly: reading, knitting, & other mental activities may delay memory loss

Speaking of knitting (as I was in my previous post), I think it's fascinating to learn of new research from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota about how a mental workout such as knitting may be able to delay memory loss: Knitting 'can delay' memory loss Engaging in a hobby like reading a book, making a patchwork quilt or even playing computer games can delay the onset of dementia, a US study suggests. (link via BBC News) This is very encouraging news about getting old. If the results of this study prove to be true, than memory loss should not be accepted as inevitable in the elderly. It also helps to highlight how unhealthy it is to watch a lot of TV and more importantly how wrong it is for elderly to end up in nursing homes where their major "activity" might be watching TV rather than participating in cognitive exercise (exercising their brains). I hope that since I'm a voracious reader and I also enjoy knitting, that I am protecting myself from the onset of dementia!

6 comments:

  1. I love to knit. It's so relaxing and good for your blood pressure as well. I also like to read but mostly the internet. Does that count? ;)

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  2. I'm sure it does count, Melissa. Reading on the internet is still exercising your brain.

    I think the worst thing people can do for their brain is to watch too much TV:

    Watching TV however does not count - and indeed spending significant periods of time in front of the box may speed up memory loss.

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  3. I reckon that reading, blogging and gardening is enough for me, so I'll pass on the knitting!
    I watch very little TV, perhaps only a few hours a week at most. xx

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  4. Yes, I'm sure you are just fine, Flighty. Anyway, you probably wouldn't have time for knitting too even if you knew how!

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  5. That's true! It seems to be all the thing at the moment as Disgruntled did this post only yesterday
    http://cityexile.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/get-knitted/
    See my comment for what I would knit if I could! xx

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  6. Bed socks - of course! I should have known, after reading the post about socks on your blog the other day. LOL.

    I love that blog - Town Mouse - by the way. Thanks for the link!

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