A study conducted by Carole Dufouil, a scientist at the French governmental agency INSERM reveals that if individuals stay in the workforce longer, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is greatly reduced. In the study, 500,000 people in France were used as participants. The information gathered from these individuals included age of retirement and whether or not they had dementia.
The results revealed that those who retired at age 65 had a 15% lower risk for dementia than those who retired at age 60. The risk was reduced each additional year an individual worked. Currently, there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, so the best way to protect yourself is prevention. This finding is a huge step forward in Alzheimer’s research and is giving the public knowledge to take preventative measures against Alzheimer’s disease.
Many people wonder, how can retiring later help prevent cognitive deterioration? Researchers think the answer lies not just in the work itself, but all the components that make up going to work. At work, individuals are physically active, keeping their brains stimulated, and exposed to social interaction. These different facets that make up a work environment are what maintain a healthy brain and help synaptic connections stay in tact.
Because of these new discoveries, France mandates retirement in several jobs. Staying active and involved in the work community can have many health benefits for elderly people. There have been many suggestions that people work as long as they want in order to stay mentally engaged. Of course, it is really up to the individual when they choose to retire, but remaining employed for a longer time fosters a stronger, healthier mind long-term.
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