Being involved in relationships with others is an important factor to maintaining our mental sharpness, especially as we age. One of the sad aspects of aging is often isolation … with loss of friends or decreased mobility, many seniors get out of the house less often and find themselves alone too much of the time, often leading to depression. Conditions such as these can accelerate mental decline associated with aging.

Staying socially active helps combat these problems. Whether it’s getting together with friends for a chat, playing games at the community center, taking art classes with other seniors, or trading plant slips over the back fence, having connections with other people helps stimulate brain function.

Of great potential benefit to active seniors is ballroom dancing classes and groups. Dancing is a social interaction, and has the added benefit of keeping one physically active as well, providing an oxygen boost to the brain as described in our last post.

Volunteer work can help seniors know that they are still needed and useful. Pets help fulfill this need as well. Having a pet to interact with is just as good as a human companion in terms of the effects of mood on cognitive abilities, and taking care of a pet provides an ongoing occupation. Many pets are active, and require exercise as well, which will also benefit the owners that are able to join them in their romps.