Changing our approach to ageing to
build a stronger economy
build a stronger economy
Our
approach to ageing needs to change if we are to create a sustainable society that
is economically stronger. We live in challenging times where the best
protection is a brain that can easily and safely take advantage of the changes
around us. Unfortunately, our ageing brains do not do that automatically – we
need to work on it ourselves.
approach to ageing needs to change if we are to create a sustainable society that
is economically stronger. We live in challenging times where the best
protection is a brain that can easily and safely take advantage of the changes
around us. Unfortunately, our ageing brains do not do that automatically – we
need to work on it ourselves.
Do you think you are old?
How
old are you? Chances are that unless you are over 65 you are unlikely to feel
old. However, your brain is ageing from middle age. When you reach 70, do you
want comfort more than respect? Many of us do, falling into safe and
comfortable lives that are encouraged by all aspects of society around us. For
those who can afford it, retirement villages offer ways to be with friends and
have an ‘easy life that you deserve’. Relatives tell you to ‘take it easy,
after all you aren’t as young as you were’ and even doctors tell us ‘don’t
worry, it’s just old age’. This influences our approach to aging and even
though some individuals may be enjoying that ‘rest’ I believe it is causing
society a level of complacency that we cannot afford.
old are you? Chances are that unless you are over 65 you are unlikely to feel
old. However, your brain is ageing from middle age. When you reach 70, do you
want comfort more than respect? Many of us do, falling into safe and
comfortable lives that are encouraged by all aspects of society around us. For
those who can afford it, retirement villages offer ways to be with friends and
have an ‘easy life that you deserve’. Relatives tell you to ‘take it easy,
after all you aren’t as young as you were’ and even doctors tell us ‘don’t
worry, it’s just old age’. This influences our approach to aging and even
though some individuals may be enjoying that ‘rest’ I believe it is causing
society a level of complacency that we cannot afford.
Better Brain Building Impacts the
Economy Substantially
Economy Substantially
Make
no mistake, brain health and improvement is a social and economic problem. Even
if you are not worried about your own mental state, consider the impact it will
have on the rest of society. As you may know, mental decline is a major risk
for the country and unless we take action we are on course for perfect storm of
dementia over the next two decades. At present approximately one in 20 of us
will have some form of dementia over the age of 65. If you live to be among the
oldest old, over 80, you currently have a 1 in five chance of being demented.
Bear in mind that not only is there a ‘bulge’ of over 65s, but due to advances
in medical science, the oldest old are the fastest growing cohort in most first
world countries. We are all growing older.
no mistake, brain health and improvement is a social and economic problem. Even
if you are not worried about your own mental state, consider the impact it will
have on the rest of society. As you may know, mental decline is a major risk
for the country and unless we take action we are on course for perfect storm of
dementia over the next two decades. At present approximately one in 20 of us
will have some form of dementia over the age of 65. If you live to be among the
oldest old, over 80, you currently have a 1 in five chance of being demented.
Bear in mind that not only is there a ‘bulge’ of over 65s, but due to advances
in medical science, the oldest old are the fastest growing cohort in most first
world countries. We are all growing older.
Are you part of the problem or the
solution?
solution?
At
present, greater numbers of old people correlate with statistically higher
levels of dementia and we support this older group financially and socially.
There is an economic figure called the dependency ratio which puts this into
perspective. Over the past few years, although the figure varies from country
to country, this ratio has been estimated to be on average about 50 – 50. That
is about fifty per cent of people are being supported (financially and
socially) by the other fifty per cent. Dependents include young people as well
as disabled and older, but because of the impact of the ageing population, over
the next twenty years this ratio is expected to rise to 70 – 30. That is,
seventy per cent of the population will be supported by thirty per cent. Young
and disabled people deserve to be supported by those of us who are able.
present, greater numbers of old people correlate with statistically higher
levels of dementia and we support this older group financially and socially.
There is an economic figure called the dependency ratio which puts this into
perspective. Over the past few years, although the figure varies from country
to country, this ratio has been estimated to be on average about 50 – 50. That
is about fifty per cent of people are being supported (financially and
socially) by the other fifty per cent. Dependents include young people as well
as disabled and older, but because of the impact of the ageing population, over
the next twenty years this ratio is expected to rise to 70 – 30. That is,
seventy per cent of the population will be supported by thirty per cent. Young
and disabled people deserve to be supported by those of us who are able.
Choose to contribute
However,
unlike young and disabled people, many over 65 can consider the choice to
contribute or become part of the problem. Economically, politically and
socially the strain is already starting
to show; parents are not only supporting their children, but also their own
elderly parents; governments are taking measures to hold back pension
entitlements as they threaten to bankrupt the country. Worse still, we are
losing the potential contribution of wisdom from thousands of older people.
unlike young and disabled people, many over 65 can consider the choice to
contribute or become part of the problem. Economically, politically and
socially the strain is already starting
to show; parents are not only supporting their children, but also their own
elderly parents; governments are taking measures to hold back pension
entitlements as they threaten to bankrupt the country. Worse still, we are
losing the potential contribution of wisdom from thousands of older people.
The Challenge of Brain Building
The
reality is that most of us can build better brains as we age. Better is the
important word. We can’t all be geniuses – but we can contribute or at least be
self-sufficient as we age. We can avoid or postpone effects of dementia and
even develop wisdom which is a very useful trait! Scientific research over the
past few years shows that we can change our own brain throughout life. This
ability to change, called neuroplasticity, is the key to having a better brain
as we age. Brain development happens automatically in young children, the experts
call this neuro plasticity (the natural ability of our brain to adapt to
circumstances around us). Our brains are designed to learn and until the age of
30, our changeable (plastic) brain only needs to be exposed to external
experiences and it creates itself.
reality is that most of us can build better brains as we age. Better is the
important word. We can’t all be geniuses – but we can contribute or at least be
self-sufficient as we age. We can avoid or postpone effects of dementia and
even develop wisdom which is a very useful trait! Scientific research over the
past few years shows that we can change our own brain throughout life. This
ability to change, called neuroplasticity, is the key to having a better brain
as we age. Brain development happens automatically in young children, the experts
call this neuro plasticity (the natural ability of our brain to adapt to
circumstances around us). Our brains are designed to learn and until the age of
30, our changeable (plastic) brain only needs to be exposed to external
experiences and it creates itself.
Forty and Beyond
I
was slightly dismayed to from learn Michael Menzevich (the acclaimed father of
neuro plasticity) that at age 30 we are at the height of our automatic physical
brain capability. That is, the framework for understanding the world is
developed and the desire to learn more becomes diminished. Despite this the
peak of capability may not be reached until around 40 because there is a long
‘tail’ of retained capacity which combines with more experience. Our brains
flourish but after that, without extra effort, essentially it is all downhill!
was slightly dismayed to from learn Michael Menzevich (the acclaimed father of
neuro plasticity) that at age 30 we are at the height of our automatic physical
brain capability. That is, the framework for understanding the world is
developed and the desire to learn more becomes diminished. Despite this the
peak of capability may not be reached until around 40 because there is a long
‘tail’ of retained capacity which combines with more experience. Our brains
flourish but after that, without extra effort, essentially it is all downhill!
Accept a new
Challenge
Challenge
Don’t
worry! This is the point at which effort, persistence and curiosity start to
make a huge difference to the person who will later reach 80. In short, left to
its own devices, our brain will wither if we do not take control and develop
it. Some people (like Einstein) continue without any ‘brain training’ through
their insatiable curiosity which drives them into new areas of knowledge and
experience until they die. For those of us who are not as naturally curious,
recent research shows that all of us can simulate this state of a youthful and
strong mind through some simple activities and easy changes in lifestyle.
worry! This is the point at which effort, persistence and curiosity start to
make a huge difference to the person who will later reach 80. In short, left to
its own devices, our brain will wither if we do not take control and develop
it. Some people (like Einstein) continue without any ‘brain training’ through
their insatiable curiosity which drives them into new areas of knowledge and
experience until they die. For those of us who are not as naturally curious,
recent research shows that all of us can simulate this state of a youthful and
strong mind through some simple activities and easy changes in lifestyle.
Avoid ‘Comfort’
I
was relieved to learn (from Menzevich and others) that our brain is perfectly
capable of changing and developing all though our life – not just before 30 or
40.Those who continue to build a better brain after 30 can be examples of
wisdom and genius. This is the combination of experience, ethics and altruism
which comes with age combined with a faster, flexible and focused (more
youthful) brain capability. The problem is – we need to take action and make an
effort! ‘Comfortable’ is attractive but causes brain fade and ‘difficult’ is
unattractive but creates strength. How do we convince people to take the harder
road ahead?
was relieved to learn (from Menzevich and others) that our brain is perfectly
capable of changing and developing all though our life – not just before 30 or
40.Those who continue to build a better brain after 30 can be examples of
wisdom and genius. This is the combination of experience, ethics and altruism
which comes with age combined with a faster, flexible and focused (more
youthful) brain capability. The problem is – we need to take action and make an
effort! ‘Comfortable’ is attractive but causes brain fade and ‘difficult’ is
unattractive but creates strength. How do we convince people to take the harder
road ahead?
Shift from the bottom to the top of
the Cliff
the Cliff
Delaying
pension payments is reactive – adding more dementia units is too – it is putting
the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. I want to know why we aren’t putting
more effort in to prevention of dementia by encouraging people to develop their
brains; development of existing potential for wisdom in thousands of aging
people. Then we could see this risk of an aging society as its greatest
potential.
pension payments is reactive – adding more dementia units is too – it is putting
the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. I want to know why we aren’t putting
more effort in to prevention of dementia by encouraging people to develop their
brains; development of existing potential for wisdom in thousands of aging
people. Then we could see this risk of an aging society as its greatest
potential.
Preventing
or delay dementia and harnessing the wisdom of more elders, we can change the
future of society. However, as long as we accept that the brain automatically
declines with age we are lost.
or delay dementia and harnessing the wisdom of more elders, we can change the
future of society. However, as long as we accept that the brain automatically
declines with age we are lost.
I have personal experience to share
How
do I know this and why do I care? In 2007 I had a brain tumour removed which
left me with brain damage. Friends wanted me to accept a lesser and more
comfortable life. However, I read Norman Doidge’s book ‘the brain that changes
itself’ and I believed I could re-wire my brain but that this was unlikely to
be a natural process. I put years of effort into developing a personal
programme – none was offered to me and the attitude was ‘you must just be glad
to be alive’. Thank goodness I did that because although my brain is always a
work in progress, I believe that it is better now than it was 11 years ago.
do I know this and why do I care? In 2007 I had a brain tumour removed which
left me with brain damage. Friends wanted me to accept a lesser and more
comfortable life. However, I read Norman Doidge’s book ‘the brain that changes
itself’ and I believed I could re-wire my brain but that this was unlikely to
be a natural process. I put years of effort into developing a personal
programme – none was offered to me and the attitude was ‘you must just be glad
to be alive’. Thank goodness I did that because although my brain is always a
work in progress, I believe that it is better now than it was 11 years ago.
Make an informed choice
To
make an informed choice, people need to know. I speak to many people who have
had strokes, traumatic brain injury or early onset dementia. Many have not been
told that with practice and lifestyle changes they can build a better brain. They need hope,
their families need hope and they need guidance. I meet younger people who had
never thought about their brain who want to start now – to avoid future
decline. Very wise! Above all, each of these people will be able to contribute
to our economy or at least avoid the ignominy of being supported by it.
make an informed choice, people need to know. I speak to many people who have
had strokes, traumatic brain injury or early onset dementia. Many have not been
told that with practice and lifestyle changes they can build a better brain. They need hope,
their families need hope and they need guidance. I meet younger people who had
never thought about their brain who want to start now – to avoid future
decline. Very wise! Above all, each of these people will be able to contribute
to our economy or at least avoid the ignominy of being supported by it.
Be part of the change for a better
future
future
The
best scenario is that the dependency ratio will shift when more retirees can
become a benefit to society through offering experience, adaptability and
ethics. This is wisdom and–we certainly need more of it! However, we will only
get it when we change our approach to aging and start to be proactive about
building better brains for ourselves and encouraging everyone else.
best scenario is that the dependency ratio will shift when more retirees can
become a benefit to society through offering experience, adaptability and
ethics. This is wisdom and–we certainly need more of it! However, we will only
get it when we change our approach to aging and start to be proactive about
building better brains for ourselves and encouraging everyone else.
Janis Grummitt is the General Manager
of Workplace Wisdom and the Chief Wiring Officer of Wiring Warriors. www.workplacewisdom.co.nz and www.wiringwarriors.com
of Workplace Wisdom and the Chief Wiring Officer of Wiring Warriors. www.workplacewisdom.co.nz and www.wiringwarriors.com
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