Last week numerous news sources cited an announcement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) indicating that research shows people who speak more than one language are more likely to see a delay in the onset of Alzheimer's than those who don't.
In an excerpt from the AAAS website, the details of the findings were discussed.
"We don’t believe bilingualism prevents Alzheimer’s disease," said psychologist Ellen Bialystok in an interview with Science Update, the daily 60-second radio show from AAAS. "What we’re saying is, people who have been bilingual have more reserve, they have more resources to continue functioning at a high level in spite of the disease progressing in their brains.”
The resources in question appear to be related to the area of the pre-frontal cortex involved in activities such as word-selection, which, for bilingual individuals, require more effort. The additional effort serves as a sort of exercise for the executive control system, which manages several brain processes impacted by Alzheimer's disease.
Learning a second language is simply a way to put the key decision-making portions of the brain through a healthy workout, and as such it marks just one idea for protecting against Alzheimer's and dementia.
Seniors are encouraged to consider ways to prevent Alzheimer's, which currently affects over 5 million Americans, with that number expected to double in the next 20 years. Currently, the medical community combines cognitive exercises with physical exercise, and improved diet as methods to reduce risk for the disease.
At Provision Living, the subject of Alzheimer's is one recognized as critical to our ability to offer personalized care focused on maximizing the quality of life for seniors. As such, the organization seeks to foster Special Memory Care Events at its facilities, and has put together the progressive, cutting-edge program called the Forget-Me-Not™ Care Model.
This exciting news from the area of Alzheimer's research is something we will follow in the ongoing effort to improve our memory care services as part of the assisted living facility experience.
What Do You Think?
Does news of the link between bilingual language skills and improved brain health make you consider moving the idea of learning a second language on to your to-do list? Please share your thoughts in our comments section.
(Image Courtesy of GE Healthcare on Flickr)
