Playing Card Games Can Help Prevent Memory Loss
Playing Card Games Can Help Prevent Memory Loss
Could there be a correlation between participating in mind stimulating activities like puzzle solving, card games, reading, etc. and decreased risk of memory loss in later years? That's what current studies are trying to establish.
On study conducted by New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine the study followed nearly 500 seniors from ages 75 to 85. None of the participants suffered from memory loss or dementia when the study began. However, in the course of the study just over 100 were diagnosed with dementia.
So what was the difference between those who developed dementia and those who didn't?
The study tracked how often the seniors participated in hobbies and other activities such as reading, writing, solving puzzles, playing with either board or card games and playing music. The researchers then compared the number of regular activities to the age at which memory loss began to accelerate more rapidly and surprisingly they found that for each additional activity per week the person participated in the more delayed the onset of memory loss was when compared to those who didn't participate.
Another study put forth by the Mayo Clinic involved seniors between the ages of 70-89. This study included people with no memory problems as well as those with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss. Both groups of participants the responded to questions about their routine and activities over the course of the last year as well as what hobbies and interests they pursued when they were between 50 to 65 years old.
The results of the study concluded that those who in later years played games, read, participated in crafts, or computer activities had 30 - 50% decrease in their risk of developing memory loss as people who didn't. The study found that during later years, reading books, participating in computer activities and doing craft activities such as pottery or quilting, or joining a regular poker or blackjack game led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss compared to people who did not do those activities.
Could there be a correlation between participating in mind stimulating activities like puzzle solving, card games, reading, etc. and decreased risk of memory loss in later years? That's what current studies are trying to establish.
On study conducted by New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine the study followed nearly 500 seniors from ages 75 to 85. None of the participants suffered from memory loss or dementia when the study began. However, in the course of the study just over 100 were diagnosed with dementia.
So what was the difference between those who developed dementia and those who didn't?
The study tracked how often the seniors participated in hobbies and other activities such as reading, writing, solving puzzles, playing with either board or card games and playing music. The researchers then compared the number of regular activities to the age at which memory loss began to accelerate more rapidly and surprisingly they found that for each additional activity per week the person participated in the more delayed the onset of memory loss was when compared to those who didn't participate.
Another study put forth by the Mayo Clinic involved seniors between the ages of 70-89. This study included people with no memory problems as well as those with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss. Both groups of participants the responded to questions about their routine and activities over the course of the last year as well as what hobbies and interests they pursued when they were between 50 to 65 years old.
The results of the study concluded that those who in later years played games, read, participated in crafts, or computer activities had 30 - 50% decrease in their risk of developing memory loss as people who didn't. The study found that during later years, reading books, participating in computer activities and doing craft activities such as pottery or quilting, or joining a regular poker or blackjack game led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss compared to people who did not do those activities.
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