A recent study found that a mentally stimulating job may ward off dementia for up to two years.
An article published in Health Day on August 23rd stated that On-the-job intellectual stimulation appears to lower levels of certain proteins that block brain cells from forming new connections — and doing so could help prevent or postpone dementia, the study’s authors said.
“This is an important study and adds to the body of research that suggests cognitive stimulation is good for the long-term health of the brain,” said Claire Sexton, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, who reviewed the findings.
Stimulating is correlated in part with the need to analyze situations and react, jobs that call for some level of control or decision making. It’s like stimulating work exercises the brain, and this may tie in with the need for heart healthy nutrition, an active lifestyle with daily exercise and engagement in the community to keep our brains forming new connections.
Learning new skills, tackling new software and getting additional education may improve both your career and your long term mental health.
Home health care workers must make decisions each day based on a client’s needs, mood, potential confusion or medication reactions. Even non-medical caregivers make decisions based on client wishes and preferences, such as how to validate and re-direct a dementia client effectively.
To read the whole article in Health Day, click here.