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7 Risk Factors For Dementia Every Senior Should Know

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3. Cognitive Reserve

Cognitive reserve is a person’s resistance to brain diseases. It’s meant to keep the brain active, and the more of it a person has, the longer it takes for diseases to damage the brain.

In other words, people with a larger cognitive reserve can actually delay the onset of symptoms of mental disorders for a longer period of time. On the other hand, those with a smaller cognitive reserve are more likely to develop dementia, even in their 50s.

The three major factors that can affect your cognitive reserve are:

  • leaving school early-a person who leaves education at an early age has a higher chance of having a smaller cognitive reserve compared to a person with full-time education who continues learning throughout their life.
  • social isolation-a person who tends to isolate themselves is also more likely to have a smaller cognitive reserve.
  • less job complexity-a person who hasn’t engaged in mental activities during their lifetime of work, especially those that require memory, problem-solving, reasoning, organizational, and communication skills, may also have a smaller cognitive reserve.

While your cognitive reserve is developed during childhood and early adulthood, there are several things you can do to boost it later in life, such as staying socially and mentally active.

10 Responses

  1. 88 + still learning. I have found the internet has More info. than just the woke info. and childish games with all the bad over the world on display as it happens. I am still going even with cervical spinal stenosis. Emotional stress increases with this problem. Peop[le need to go through the 7 Reasons early in life. More articles on that rather than trans gender and all the rest of the stuff they focus on. If they don’t they wont have a good life to do what it isthey want to do.

    1. Great reply! I agree with you. Two years ago I had aortic valve replacement. Now I have lumbar spinal stenosis and it so impedes my ability to move….and to sleep. Other than that, I don’t feel’ my age. Not sure it that’s a detriment or not. But it’s certainly eye-opening. Dear Lord, just don’t let me lose my mind.

    1. I know that’s my biggest issues. 3-4
      Hr of fragmented sleep for over 30yrs. I know it’s gonna do me in.

  2. Studying Spanish and relearning Hebrew, taking lessons on my fourth musical instrument after a long time of not having time to play music (while raising children and pursuing a career), have all contributed to my feeling of youthfulness, not to mention regular physical activity, regular sleep and eating habits, and a positive attitude bolstered by my abiding faith in Jesus Christ.

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