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Do you know anyone who’s over 100? Less than 1% of American adults will live to see their 100th birthday. But older adults who become centenarians are often cognitively 30 years younger! So what’s the secret to becoming a “cognitive super ager” and staying sharp as you age? Let’s take a closer look.

 

Aging And Your Brain

Aging slowly affects every part of our bodies. You may have creaky knees or need an extra hour of sleep every night. Aging also affects the brain. You might start noticing some signs of cognitive aging like having a hard time remembering events, struggling to find the words you want to say, or even noticing early signs of dementia. Generally, the wheels start to run a little slower over time.

 

What Makes a Cognitive Super Ager?

Do you know an older adult who seems cognitively young? The term “cognitive super ager” describes older adults who don’t seem old. Their mental capabilities don’t slow down very much as they age, and you’d guess they were 60 instead of 90.

 

But what’s protecting them from the normal aging process? A recent study published in early 2021 took a closer look at prolonged cognitive health to get to the bottom of this mystery. Researchers in Amsterdam had conversations with 330 adults who were age 100 or older. They also ran a lot of tests to find out more about their brain age. These older adults had some slight declines in memory, but otherwise, their cognitive abilities stayed relatively stable over time. They could easily keep up with all the tasks of their daily life and they didn’t have signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

 

The Secret to Healthy Aging

One secret to healthy cognitive aging is resiliency in the face of cognitive challenges. This resiliency or cognitive reserve helps older adults deal with any changes in the brain. Some older adults in the study had some brain damage consistent with Alzheimer’s disease, but they didn’t have any symptoms of the disease. Their brains were resilient in the face of this threat and were able to function normally even with some physical changes in the brain. 

 

Developing Resilience 

Is there a way to develop resilience or this cognitive reserve that can protect your cognitive function later in life? The study found that staying physically and cognitively active were both very important in developing resiliency and staying healthy. There are things you can do today that will help you become a cognitive super ager and maintain your quality of life as you age. 

  • Exercise your brain: Staying mentally active is a very important part of keeping your brain healthy. Seek out a cognitively demanding job or hobby to build more neural networks in your brain. Start reading books that challenge you to think critically, go back to school for a class, and keep pushing yourself to try new things.

  • Learn a language or play an instrument: Another way to keep your brain healthy is by learning new skills. Learning a new language or a new instrument can help you develop more complex neural networks that will help you become a cognitive super ager.

  • Eat a healthy diet: You are what you eat, so make sure you’re eating a healthy diet with all the vitamins and minerals your body and brain need. Eat lots of fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meat, and whole grains, and avoid lots of sugar or processed foods. 

  • Stay social: Keeping in touch with friends and family keeps your brain active and healthy. You’ll have to think on your feet while participating in conversations and keep up with current trends to understand what your grandkids are excited about. 

  • Don’t overlook physical exercise: Your body and your brain are closely linked, so improving your physical health can impact your mental health as well. Doing a few minutes of physical activity every day can help you become a cognitive super ager.

 

Hearing Aids are One of the Secrets of Cognitive Super Agers

And finally, treating your hearing loss can help you become a cognitive super ager! Hearing helps you connect with loved ones, stay socially and physically active, and have the energy to try new things. Treating hearing loss can help you avoid cognitive decline and greatly reduce your risk of developing dementia. Visit us today to find out more about hearing aids for healthy aging.