"I am learning all the time.The tombstone will be my diploma." --Eartha Kitt
When you stop learning and fight change, you stop living. You might as well be dead because your mind has gone into a vegetative state of status quo hibernation.
My mother-in-law is getting ready to go on sabbatical. One of her projects will be to write a book based upon her research. Like she said, "If you don't use it, you lose it"
There is no other sector of our lives where this is more important than in the process of day to day learning. Making learning a habit is one of the greatest anti-aging strategies that one can adopt.
When I was at University, my focus was on development and change over the life-span with a particular emphasis on how adults and seniors cope with change. One of the most important factors that emerged was the need for a lifelong process of learning. If learning stops when we hang up our cap and gown, our intelligence will slowly start to diminish. However, if we continue to engage in challenging learning activities, IQ is one measure that actually improves with age.
Since 1900, nearly 30 years have been added to the life expectancy of individuals born in the United States, and, in the past 35 years, the number of individuals age 65 and over has expanded from 8 to 12 percent as a proportion of the total U.S. population (Lamdin and Fugate 1997). A number of factors, such as the eradication of childhood diseases, advances in medical care, and a decline in fertility rates following the postwar baby boom, have converged to create the statistical aging of the population (Manheimer, Snodgrass, and Moskow-McKenzie 1995). Furthermore, the trend of increasing numbers of older adults as a proportion of the total population is expected to continue: by 2030 a total of 20 percent of the United States' population will be age 65 or over (Lamdin and Fugate 1997). Greater numbers of older adults have stimulated discussions about how the graying of America will affect future economic and social conditions, including education.
For many years scientists believed humans were born with a certain number of brain cells that die off as we age. But recent studies have brought forth a growing body of evidence that new brain cells will form at any age if the brain is challenged and exercised and as stated above we not only grow older we can grow smarter.
When we see and hear so much about disabilities in the elderly, it would be wise to keep in mind that statistics show the vast majority of older people are in good shape, better than ever before in human history. Decline is not inevitable.
The amount and kind of learning in which older adults engage is a trend of interest to educators. A study (Lamdin and Fugate 1997) that examined all types of older adult learning "revealed that older people are learning in numbers and amounts of time expended at a rate far exceeding even [the researchers'] expectations" (p. 85). Respondents in this study spent an average of 27.86 hours per month in informal (nonclassroom-based or self-directed) learning, and 17.75 hours per month in formal (classrooms or other organized settings). A review of studies of participation in formal or organized adult education programs revealed that, although the "actual number and percentage of participants [of older adults] is still rather modest," it is expected to grow (Manheimer, Snodgrass, and Moskow-McKenzie, 1995, pp. 15-16). Currently, the largest percentage of individuals age 55 and over is in noncredit, continuing education.
The plethora of information available over the Internet both about and for older adults is a third trend related to older adults with implications for educators. Many older adults are defying the stereotype that computers are for the young and are actively engaged in using the Internet as both consumers and producers of information (e.g., Dixon 1997; Lawhon, Ennis, and Lawhon 1996). In addition, information about many aspects of aging can be found on the Internet (Post 1997). The use of the Internet by older adults is consistent with the kind of education in which they tend to engage--informal or noncredit--and educators need to consider how they can use it to support and/or deliver educational programming for older adults.
Psychologically many of us are programmed to think that when one retires from a profession that life is over. However, as my Father stated, "Retirement is getting four new tires and starting over again." The metaphor for aging is changing and many adults over the ages of 50, 60, 70 and beyond are taking on the challenge of maintaining a life of enrichment and learning pleasure.
While there are some biological events that occur that can create difficulties such as more difficulty with language acquisition, vision changes, short-term memory barriers, and reaction time, there are ways to compensate for these events. We can go on to offer to the world a new era of the "The Wise Man and The Wise Woman."
Following are a few tips to improve memory and cognition over the life span. There are also ways to improve brain function and complexity.
1. Breathe. Learning to breathe correctly increases the oxygen content to the brain and makes it more vital and healthy.
2. Exercise. Walking and other aerobic exercises increase oxygen content and circulation and improve cognition.
3. Mediation: Meditation decreases tension and relaxes the body and creates a greater self-awareness of the true condition and potential of the body. Plus it makes one less stressed and focused. Focus is an important part of short-term memory.
4. Herbal Supplements: There are decreases in certain mineral and vitamin potential in the aging body. The addition of sensible supplements will increase mental and physical acuity. (I for one could not function with out Ginko Biloba to help my short-term memory or without Melatonin to improve and regulate my sleep cycle.)
5. Taking Charge. Not giving up one's power and decision-making in one's life is the most important factor in the psychology of aging. Many folks will find that their kids try to change rolls with them. Well say NO. I may be 50, 60, 70 or, even, 100 but I am still the Mom or the Dad. Retain your sense of being in control in your life.
6. Be responsible for something beside yourself. A plant, animals, grandchildren -- responsibility for any other living organism outside of self promotes longevity and improves cognition.
7. Read something that you disagree with at least once a week and think through why you might be right or might be wrong in your assumptions.
8. Challenge people when they treat you with that veiled respect that is really solicitous ageism.
9. Volunteer. Be involved outside yourself in mentoring and helping others.
10. Be a friend and develop a strong core of friendships. Don't count on your family to be your only support system.
11. Celebrate reaching a time when you can be like a child in that your focus on world can return to the center of self rather than the center of society! You now have grown them babies and received that gold retirement watch and you can explore self you never had time to do before.
12. Create a new mission or concept about your life. I like this one. "Every day in every way I am better and better and better."
In a series of studies involving adults of various ages, psychologists found that people are least open to changing their views during their middle adult years. The studies by Penny S. Visser, PhD, of Princeton University, and Jon Krosnick, PhD, of Ohio State University, are featured in the December issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Vol. 75, No. 6, p. 13891410). The results indicate that the rising number of elderly in this country could create a large population of people who easily shift their viewpoints on various issues, the researchers speculate. That could create volatility in public opinion, especially in times of great public debate such as elections, they say.
As we move into our golden years and prepare for our diamond years and our platinum years and our whatever years think in a forward direction. Recognize the power that we as a population of wise older persons have over our own destiny and over the policies of our country.
Most important, at any age, is to have a dream. My mother is 97 years old. She has osteoporosis and is in pain. Her mind is like a razor. She has a plan to be on television on her 100th birthday, which will fall on Mother's Day. At 80 something she built a more comfortable home for her old age. [Mother died soon after this was originally published.] She continues to plan for the future. Plans and goals make dreams reality. It is the reality of knowing that dreams can still come true that improves our potential to become the "Sage of our Society."
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."------Dr. Seuss
***copyright 2002 Myriam Maytorena
