Seniors’ Brains Benefit from Purpose, Research Says

Having a strong sense that one's life has meaning and direction may make one less likely to develop blockages in blood flow that could potentially lead to damage as she ages, according to recent research of seniors with an average age of 84, reported in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.

“Mental health, in particular positive psychological factors such as having a purpose in life, are emerging as very potent determinants of health outcomes,” said Patricia Boyle. Ph.D., study co-author and associate professor of behavioral sciences at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Researchers analyzed autopsy results on 453 people, average age 84, who volunteered for the Rush Memory and Aging Project and underwent annual physical and psychological evaluations until they died, at an average age of 90. Researchers measured microscopic infarcts, damaged tissue that may contribute to dementia, movement problems, disability, and death as people age. Infarcts occur when a blockage interrupts blood flow in a vessel within the brain, resulting in a stroke or damaged brain tissue. 

Participants who had reported a stronger purpose in life were 44 percent less likely to have these infarcts.

 
 For more information about the research, visit http://blog.heart.org/having-a-purpose-in-life-may-improve-health-of-aging-brain/.   
 

Each Home Instead Senior Care^® franchise office is independently owned and operated.