BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working

Subject: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Goose Gander
Date: 19 May 09 - 12:28 PM

Avoid dementia, keep working according to this article.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 May 09 - 12:42 PM

And keep full-spectrum light/sunlight, in another UK article I saw last year.

BTW my good friend Ed calls it "dimension."

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 May 09 - 12:42 PM

I MUST get my Dachshund to read that article!

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 May 09 - 01:23 PM

THere's a choice?

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Goose Gander
Date: 19 May 09 - 01:41 PM

Ha! See, the powers that be really are looking out for us.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: PoppaGator
Date: 19 May 09 - 01:48 PM

"Each additional year of employment was associated with around a six week later age of onset."

Not much of a return on investment for those of us with jobs that are not particularly compelling and enjoyable ~ to work an entire extra year just to stave off dementia for a lousy month-and-a-half? Hardly worth the bother!

I believe the important thing is to keep the brain active, which can be accomplished by activities other than wage slavery. I would think that playing music, regulary and seriously, would be at least as effective in delaying Alzheimer's (if not moreso) than working at one's paying job, especially one that is not mentally challenging or that one does not enjoy.

Some people do indeed go into a tailspin upon retirement, if they have no other interest to keep their minds occupied. These would be people without a non-work-related interest or "hobby" about which they are passionate. Those of us who love to play music, and who look forward to retirement as an opportunity to play more seriously and more often, should not have to worry about early-onset dementia resulting from mental inactivity.

(And I'm sure that the same could be said about photography, painting, gardening, etc., etc., etc.)

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 May 09 - 03:07 PM

AVOID it??? I embraced it years ago!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: maire-aine
Date: 19 May 09 - 03:15 PM

In the immortal words of Charlie King, "Our life is more than our work, and our work is more than our job".

Last November, at age 60, I left a job that was doing me more harm than good. Since then, I've been "working" toward healthcare reform (in the US, don't get me started).

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Donuel
Date: 19 May 09 - 03:32 PM

When I grow up I will move on from being a sedintary stay at home dad and talk to grown ups more.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:19 PM

I want to be a cowboy.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:48 PM

I want to date Winona Ryder. Several times a week, if possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:57 PM

As my father, a metalworker, approached retirement age, the job took more and more out of him. He would sit silently at family parties, and his skin looked pale, almost gray.

After he retired, he cheered up, pepped up, and was active at church and around the house. He lived to be 82 and did well until his last few months.

So I think it depends on the individual and on the job whether continuing to work is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 May 09 - 05:01 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk - PM
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:48 PM

I want to date Winona Ryder. Several times a week, if possible.


So when did date become a synonym for fuck?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 May 09 - 05:04 PM

Oh, my. You mean that package of "dates" I bought at the store yesterday is...?

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 May 09 - 05:57 PM

Don't be insensitive, Spaw. This is Winona Ryder we're talking about here...not one of Cheech Wizard's dumbo inflatable gal pals. I want to gaze into Winona's beautiful eyes over a glass of wine. Talk for hours with her about life, love, and longing. Walk along the whispering Pacific seashore at dawn. Catch fireflies and release them. Etc. Specially etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: GUEST,marks(on the road)
Date: 19 May 09 - 06:12 PM

Hawk
Thanks
You have just introduced a brand new gentlemanly term to what would be an otherwise vulgar way of self expression.
Now I can post, without fear of giving offense, that when I did my taxes this year I really got etctted.
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 May 09 - 06:15 PM

Heh! You're welcome, Mark.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Tangledwood
Date: 19 May 09 - 06:47 PM

Another study found that life expectancy can be extended by retiring early, not by factors of weeks but many years. The difference is greatest for shift workers, not surprisingly. It seems, unfortunately, that studies such as this look at a specific aspect but not the sum total.

As I understand it the key to keeping dementia at bay is mental activity, not a career. Retire and get stuck into something that exercises the brain - ummm, how about music?

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Goose Gander
Date: 19 May 09 - 06:49 PM

I believe it makes a difference whether one is doing interesting work or drudgery. I remember reading somewhere that blue-collar workers were more likely than 'professionals' to enjoy their retirement.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Peace
Date: 19 May 09 - 07:19 PM

This thread is far too late for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: heric
Date: 19 May 09 - 07:23 PM

I read that even if the work is technically "intellectual," it doesn't really help stave off the dementia if you are performing repetitive procedures with differing facts, e.g. as a lawyer or most professionals would be doing. You need to challenge your thinking processes in radical ways - e.g learn a language, etc. That's what I read, fwiw. If true, I suppose learning music theory for the first time would be more beneficial than modifying/experimenting with well known, well mastered techniques.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 May 09 - 07:41 PM

So you're trying to tell me that people who ARE involved in music aren't demented?

And you hang around HERE???

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 May 09 - 07:54 PM

Susan...

Ed...he cracks me up. He probably has a point!!!

Love it & love him!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 May 09 - 09:08 PM

Well, I already posted this on myspace: Five of the top strategies for improving temporal lobe functioning involve music! (Change Your Brain Change Your Life, Daniel Amen) Maybe musicians are demented because it is functioning too well? I'm feeling that somewhat currently. My personal best strategies are listening to music I love and involvement in International Folk Dancing where there are always more dances to learn. Works my addled brain very hard. Focus, Dorothy, Focus!

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Bobert
Date: 19 May 09 - 09:10 PM

I think I'd settle fir the dementia, thank you...

Work sucks!!!

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Peace
Date: 19 May 09 - 09:12 PM

That's what they say at the Hoover Company, Bobert.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 May 09 - 11:29 PM

Thanks for the good laugh, Rapaire.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 May 09 - 03:27 AM

It's always good to have something to do. Whether that counts as "work" depends on how you look at it, I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:11 AM

In the area where I live, "Avoid Dementia - START working" might be more appropriate.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 20 May 09 - 07:32 AM

I think I can concurr with several posters above... it's working here that is making me demented!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 May 09 - 11:09 AM

Well, what I did not get across is that, although working could good if one needs it or, better still enjoys it AND continues to learn new stuff, it is using the brain that prevents it from deteriorating. Are there any musicians with dementia? If there are, it probably means their music atrophied first - then the brain. The brain is the ultimate in use it or lose it.

Anyhow, you guys are all delightfully nuts. Clearly demented in the best ways!

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: heric
Date: 20 May 09 - 11:42 AM

Oh we're all deteriorating, as sure as eggs is gonna be fried or scrambled.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 May 09 - 01:45 PM

The "result" reported is not particularly encouraging. The report says that each additional year of working adds 6 weeks to the time before onset of dementia.

"Onset of dementia" is almost impossible to determine, so one must presume that they really meant "medical opinion that they suffered from dementia."

Take the hypothetical subject who retires on a 65th birthday, and who statistically, based on all risk factors for that individual would expect a diagnosis of dementia on a 68th birthday. According to the results of the study, if the person continues to work for three more years, to age 68, and retires on that birthday, that subject will be diagnosed as "demented" 18 weeks (4.5 months) after retirement.

On the other side of the flip, retirement for many people reduces stress and blood pressure significantly, so by continuing to work this particular subject quite likely suffered a massive stroke at age 67 and spent the last year of employment going to work in an electric wheel chair and typing with one hand - or learned a new trade (which paid virtually nothing) compatible with the "stress induced disabilies of age."

Of course, this is a "hypothetical case," but it's the case predicted (for some, at least) by this study.

The researchers may have considered it, and we have only the news report; but it is quite likely that the group who continued to work to a later age were "self-selected" by being genetically less prone to dementia(?) and/or to other of the "impairments of age."

At the 6 weeks/year extension ratio, a person would have to work 8.7 years longer to add one year of "undemented" life. I haven't seen credible statistics recently, but not long ago the numbers showed that the median "life after retirement" was on the order of 7 years, so those who attempted to follow this "advice" wouldn't (for most) live long enough to accomplish a lot.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 May 09 - 01:56 PM

A research project at McGill University took 60 people 62-90 and tested their balance and cognitive ability. Half went on a walking regime and half learned to tango. Those who walked improved their balance. Those who learned to tango improved both balance and cognitive skills. We already know how to walk; it is the learning of new skills/information that feeds the brain. I have a folder of these sorts of studies, waiting for when I "retire" enough to write about the importance of dance to the brain. To dance takes music! So keep learning/writing new stuff! I'll dance to anything.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: ragdall
Date: 20 May 09 - 02:16 PM

Has anyone considered that Dementia is one of the reasons that people choose to retire, or are encouraged by employers to do so, at the time that they do?

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 May 09 - 03:36 PM

No.

;-D

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:39 PM

The important thing is this: don't retire from life, as long as you still intend to keep living it. It is possible to learn something new every day.

Subject: RE: BS: Avoid Dementia - Keep Working
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:55 PM

LH! I knew your answer before I saw it!   "NO"

Darn, I wish I could see what I have already said. Hate repeating self. I intend to LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, until I drop dead on the dance floor - just push me aside and keep on dancing.

Anyhow, I don't know what you guys are concerned about - just keep learning and living - make music, make love, make people laugh -LIVE!! Dementia only gets those who sit around waiting for it. (mostly - for you pernickety souls)