I know this isn’t a movie review column, but I saw a movie a few weeks ago that intrigued me so much that I decided to use this space to expand on its theme of mental health and happiness in senior citizens.
The movie is called “Young@Heart.” It is a documentary (don’t let that scare you off) about a group of seniors in Massachusetts who gather together a few times a week to sing. Their repertoire is not what one might expect, though. There are no mushy love songs from the ‘40s or hymns they remember from their childhoods. No, these septuagenarians and octogenarians are singing rock and roll, with a few punk songs thrown in. Anything from James Brown to the Rolling Stones seems to be attainable for this group. And they tour the world, giving concerts in places as diverse as prisons to lush concert halls.
These people were so vibrant and alive, even as many of them approached their 90s. I couldn’t help but marvel at their ability to memorize these complicated lyrics, tempos and melodies and also at the tight bonds they have forged with one another.
So of course I found a medical study that suggests that having an active social life in older years helps to keep minds sharp. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study of almost 17,000 Americans age 50 and older. The participants had memory tests taken over six years. The results showed that people who were the most socially integrated had memory decline of less than half the rate compared with those who were the least socially integrated.
According to Karen Ertel, the lead researcher from the Harvard study, “Social activity may help preserve cognitive functioning in the elderly. In addition, people who are socially active may have other healthful behaviors, which may be related to cognition and better physical health.”
So what’s the takeaway message here? If you are a card-carrying member of the AARP, or even if you’re not but are over the age of 60 or so, you might want to pay attention to the following suggestions:
Keep doing your crossword puzzles or Sudoku games.
Stay engaged in your family, extended family and community. If you don’t volunteer, look for an opportunity to do so in an area that interests you. There are plenty of opportunities in every community for you to help in some capacity.
I know this isn’t a movie review column, but I saw a movie a few weeks ago that intrigued me so much that I decided to use this space to expand on its theme of mental health and happiness in senior citizens.
The movie is called “Young@Heart.” It is a documentary (don’t let that scare you off) about a group of seniors in Massachusetts who gather together a few times a week to sing. Their repertoire is not what one might expect, though. There are no mushy love songs from the ‘40s or hymns they remember from their childhoods. No, these septuagenarians and octogenarians are singing rock and roll, with a few punk songs thrown in. Anything from James Brown to the Rolling Stones seems to be attainable for this group. And they tour the world, giving concerts in places as diverse as prisons to lush concert halls.
These people were so vibrant and alive, even as many of them approached their 90s. I couldn’t help but marvel at their ability to memorize these complicated lyrics, tempos and melodies and also at the tight bonds they have forged with one another.
So of course I found a medical study that suggests that having an active social life in older years helps to keep minds sharp. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study of almost 17,000 Americans age 50 and older. The participants had memory tests taken over six years. The results showed that people who were the most socially integrated had memory decline of less than half the rate compared with those who were the least socially integrated.
According to Karen Ertel, the lead researcher from the Harvard study, “Social activity may help preserve cognitive functioning in the elderly. In addition, people who are socially active may have other healthful behaviors, which may be related to cognition and better physical health.”
So what’s the takeaway message here? If you are a card-carrying member of the AARP, or even if you’re not but are over the age of 60 or so, you might want to pay attention to the following suggestions:
Keep doing your crossword puzzles or Sudoku games.
Stay engaged in your family, extended family and community. If you don’t volunteer, look for an opportunity to do so in an area that interests you. There are plenty of opportunities in every community for you to help in some capacity.
Find a group that’s doing something that you enjoy, and join them. Whether it’s singing (any style of music), gardening or learning a new skill, engage in something that challenges your mind as well as gives you social interaction.
As always, keep exercising and watching your diet. I can’t stress that enough, and as a person ages, it becomes even more important.
If you have a chance, check this movie out on DVD or online. It will lift your spirits and make you cry. If you invite a friend or two to watch it with you, it can count as social interaction. Just leave the butter off the popcorn, OK?
Pam Maxson is a health educator at Noyes Hospital in Dansville. If you have questions or suggestions for future articles, she can be reached at pmaxson@noyes-hospital.org or 383-335-4327.
