Finally! Some new research shows that seniors in their 60s and 70s still have sharp brains. In fact, most reach their intellectual peak in these later years for two categories:
- Vocabulary abilities continue to increase.
- Crystallized intelligence, or accumulated knowledge and facts about the world, peaks late in life.
The latest study was able to draw on a large online sample of participants who utilized the websites gameswithwords.org and testmybrain.org. Using this approach, the researchers were able to gather data from nearly 50,000 people across a wide range of ages. Four different types of cognitive tasks were used as well as one task that looked at the ability to detect the emotional states of other people.
When Do Mental Powers Peak?
Among the key findings from the latest study and earlier research:
- 18-19: Information-processing speed peaks early, then immediately begins to decline.
- 25: Short-term memory gets better until around age 25. It remains fairly steady until it begins to decline around age 35.
- 30: Memory for faces peaks and then starts to gradually decline.
- 35: Your short-term memory begins to weaken and decline.
- 40s-50s: Emotional understanding peaks in middle to later adulthood.
- 60s: Vocabulary abilities continue to increase.
- 60s and 70s: Crystallized intelligence, or accumulated knowledge and facts about the world, peaks late in life.
Hooray. It’s been my experience and those of many of my older friends, that we’re not getting feeble minded, au contraire.
Seniors Aren’t All Having “Moments”
While the results that crystallized intelligence peaks later in life are consistent with earlier findings, this study implies that this peak occurs much later in life than previously believed. What could explain this late peak in mental abilities? The researchers suggest that their results might be due to the fact that people today have more education, greater access to information, and more mentally demanding jobs than did previous generations of adults.
The results suggest that while older brains might indeed be slower, they are likely to still be more accurate, knowledgeable, and better able to assess the moods and emotional states of others.
Online Games and Tests for Senior Brains
One of the reasons we’re staying sharp as we age is there are a lot more resources. We don’t have to go to the library, or a Senior Center. Knowledge is at the keyboard. The two sites mentioned as the source for the research study both offer games and tests to improve cognitive functioning.
Check them out: the websites are gameswithwords.org and testmybrain.org. I enjoyed both of them. Another site I recommend is AARP. They are offering an assessment for their StayingSharp brain program. I was surprised to learn my memory was almost as good as ever, or at least I was reassured.
So much is published about dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and senior moments we forget to acknowledge that brain decay isn’t inevitable. More of us are staying healthy through exercise and diet, with a much decreased rate of aging.
At least, that’s my experience. What about you? What are you doing to prevent brain decay and preserve your senior brain?
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