CHAPLAIN'S CHATS

The Aging Brain
by Rev. David Ehline
Chaplain, The Village

At this year's convention of the Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, I attended a seminar about lifelong learning and the aging brain. What I learned is that science has shown that the older brain appears to be far more flexible, adaptable, and integrated than previously thought! As a matter of fact, older brains are better at drawing connections from experience, separating what's important from what's not. Older brains have increasing ability to manage information and extract meaning. Vocabulary improves, as do other verbal abilities such as facility with synonyms and antonyms. Also, the recollection of facts and figures and the ability to focus is more resistant to the affects of aging than previously believed.

The brain also seems to mature emotionally with age, resulting in increased calm and serenity. On average, older adults are less impulsive and less likely to dwell on negative emotions. Brain imaging studies show less evidence of fear, impatience, anger and hatred in the brains of older people. Also empathy increases with age, as does the ability to judge character. Older people seem to be more comfortable with ambiguity, and less susceptible to frustration and irritability.

The good news is that God has created our brains to thrive even in old age! Exercises to foster brain health should include any new activity that stretches the brain. Recommended activities include:

• Attending lectures and seminars
• Doing crossword puzzles
• Participating in discussion groups
• Reading the newspaper
• Learning a foreign language
• Learning and/or playing musical instrument

Thanks be to God for the wonders of the human brain! And thanks be to God that old brains are not has-been, over-the-hill, out-to-pasture brains!