As we age, our bodies and brains change. Memory loss, shorter attention spans, and problems with speech are common changes. Right now, the aging population in Canada is the highest it’s ever been. The elderly population (65 years and older) accounts for 25% of Canada’s overall population (Statistics Canada, 2010). In 2011, the first of the Baby Boomers turn 65, making this age group and their mental health more of a focus than ever before.

Age-related changes

In the elderly, the brain has been found to shrink in size. For example, the caudate (responsible for learning and memory), the cerebellum (responsible for coordination, attention, and language), and the hippocampus (responsible for memory) have been found to shrink the most of all brain sections in the elderly (Raz et al., 2005). Certain life events can also speed up the process by putting extra stress on us.

Life events of the elderly

As we get older, we are faced with many transitions such as retirement, a loss of independence (i.e., losing a drivers licence, moving into assisted-living facilities), and the loss of loved ones (i.e., close friends, a spouse). These transitions put stress on the brain.

The elderly brain is very sensitive to stress. For example, the hippocampus has been found to be at high risk for changes during stressful times. Declines in this area of the brain, from both normal aging and stress, can lead to memory problems. Memory loss is a common mental health issue of the elderly (Lupien et al., 2009).

Engage your body and brain

Between the normal age-related changes of the brain and the stress put on it through life events, the elderly face many mental health issues. Can anything be done? Yes. Keeping your body and brain active can help slow the aging process of the brain.

Being physically active, both throughout your life as well as during old age, has a positive impact on your mental health. Research showed blood flow to the cerebellum was higher in a group of physically active seniors than in a group of inactive seniors. Those who were active also showed higher performance in cognitive tests, especially “executive control processes” such as planning, scheduling, remembering, and multi-tasking (Kramer et al., 2006).

Don’t forget to keep your brain active too. Reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and other mentally challenging tasks can help stimulate blood flow and activity in the brain. This has been shown to reduce the risk of memory loss and help maintain balance and coordination (Verghese et al., 2006).

Though age-related brain changes will happen, being active in both body and mind can help slow them down.

KEY REFERENCES:

Statistics Canada. (2010). Population projections: Canada, the provinces and territories. Retrieved June 30, 2010,

from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100526/dq100526b-eng.htm

Kramer, A. F., Erickson, K. I., & Colcombe, S. J. (2006). Exercise, cognition, and the aging brain. Journal of Applied Physiology, 101, 1237–1242.

Raz, N., Lindenberger, U., Rodrigue, K. M., Kennedy, K. M., Head, D., & Williamson, A., et al. (2005). Regional brain changes in aging healthy adults: General trends, individual differences and modifiers. Cerebral Cortex, 15, 1676–1689.

Lupien, S. J., McEwen, B. S., Gunnar, M. R., & Heim, C. (2009). Effects of stress throughout the lifespan on the brain, behaviour and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10, 434–445.

Verghese, J., LeValley, A., Derby, C., Kuslansky, G., Katz, M., & Hall, C., et al. (2006). Leisure activities and the risk of amnestic mild cognitive impairment in the elderly. Neurology, 66(6), 821-827.