This seems like a no-brainer to me... slaps knee
Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
61–70 of 292 posts
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#62This is something I think about a lot. I plan to never stop doing mentally stimulating activities, even in my old age. The difference you can see in cognitive ability between the elderly is staggering. One particular instance that sticks in my mind was a video filmed in the UK where for some unrelated reason four older men and women were interviewed, with ages ranging between 80 and the low 100's. The mid 80 year old…
Most of this is just pure dumb luck combined with vascular health (to the extent that isn't dumb luck).
Why do you say so? There seems to be some compelling evidence that keeping your mind and body active increases your quality of life during old age.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#63Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's no doubt that people decline cognitively in their old age. I don't think this study's saying that all cognitive decline is due to retirement. People get old and their bodies and brains deteriorate. To my mind the question is whether the rate of decline can be reduced by keeping mentally active.
People's cognitive decline statistically starts as early as 40. You can see that from the age distribution of biggest discoveries in physics and mathematics. You can also see that from the HR policies of the software companies.
Correlation is not causation.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most of this is just pure dumb luck combined with vascular health (to the extent that isn't dumb luck).
Why do you say so? There seems to be some compelling evidence that keeping your mind and body active increases your quality of life during old age.
Yes, definitely. But it's not a single factor thing and want to emphasize that. Dying prematurely is not always some failing of will, nor is not keeping active. Degenerative joint issues, for instance. Also vision, like ARMD. Et cetera. I personally suspect that things that prevent activity are manifestations of the same age related wasting. But stay active at any age, mentally and physically. Even if it had zero impact on longevity (and it has a positive impact) it's good for quality of life.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#65Sitting around May Speed Up Cognitive Decline. Both my Grandfathers retired shortly before seventy. One sat down in his Chair and did not get up. He ignored his health, and passed within 10 years. The other is highly active in his community and church, still gardens, and travels constantly. He is in his mid 80s with no sign of slowing down. Barring a major health incident, he will live well into his 90s like his moth…
My dad always refers to his body in a similar manner to how one would refer to a car, I.E. “too much mileage on me”, “I walked a lot so now my knees are worn out”. I wonder if their generation has a more simplistic view of our bodies as mechanical things.
The joints do get worn out with the age tho..
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#66This is something I think about a lot. I plan to never stop doing mentally stimulating activities, even in my old age. The difference you can see in cognitive ability between the elderly is staggering. One particular instance that sticks in my mind was a video filmed in the UK where for some unrelated reason four older men and women were interviewed, with ages ranging between 80 and the low 100's. The mid 80 year old…
My understanding is that social activities are even more important than mentally stimulating activities.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#67Not only early retirement but any kind of retirement that gets the retiree in a mode that they don't have to try anymore will result in cognitive decline. I am seeing this in my dad who has been retired for ten years now. Throughout his work life he was a sharp hard working banker. Now he uses his age and retirement as an excuse for not trying. Just yesterday he wanted me to order something for him from Amazon. I tol…
I asked him how come he didn't know how to copy-paste. His response was - I am retired now and there's nobody to tell me or teach me. I can see the cognitive decline.
Are you positive that for the 15 years he spent using a computer at work he just wasn't constantly asking younger people in the office to do stuff for him and never learned because computers are scary?
I've seen it before from people who have been using computers at work for decades.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#68My dad is a doctor in his 70s. He works 60 hour weeks (which he claims counts as retirement for doctors). He truly believes that true retirement is suicide. He wants to be found dead while doing rounds at the hospital.
I work to live not live to work.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#69Not only early retirement but any kind of retirement that gets the retiree in a mode that they don't have to try anymore will result in cognitive decline. I am seeing this in my dad who has been retired for ten years now. Throughout his work life he was a sharp hard working banker. Now he uses his age and retirement as an excuse for not trying. Just yesterday he wanted me to order something for him from Amazon. I tol…
Maybe your father will be sharp in other things not computing. I will have good level of computing when i reach +75 but well, maybe newer concepts will escape me a little bit but maybe i have other skills that are even more sharper than you can imagine.
Re: Early Retirement May Speed Up Cognitive Decline: Study
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
People's cognitive decline statistically starts as early as 40. You can see that from the age distribution of biggest discoveries in physics and mathematics. You can also see that from the HR policies of the software companies.
Correlation is not causation.
It doesnt, but it sometimes can be a big clue. What other factors can explain, that old people dont make so many breakthroughs? (If hes correct)