California Accepted Papers Paper:
Rethinking the Education Potential of Older Adults to Delay the Onset of Dementia
*Names in bold indicate Presenter
While the life expectancy of older adults continues to increase, the incidents of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are spiraling into uncontrollable numbers. Many older adults are forced into nursing homes or assisted living facilities which results in fewer long term care options to handle the overflow. The urgency to remedy these social issues warrants searching for effective ways to reinforce autonomy for older adults to perhaps lower national healthcare costs. This policy proposal demonstrates the effects of education on cognitive functioning as an alternative preventive method to halt or delay cognitive decline in older individuals. The purpose of this proposal, therefore, is to discuss and illustrate the benefits of improving cognitive ability through continuing education. In this case, taking advantage of educational programs that are already in place such as adult schools and community colleges, would not only provide mental stimulation for older adults, but could be a source for social networking as well as an opportunity for technology training and reinforcing physical activities. To establish a link between cognition and education, this proposal provides examples from a number of studies, in addition to a review of a longitudinal study on educational differences in the prevalence of dementia. The findings revealed a connection between cognitive decline and education after considering regions and economic status. Suggestions from this proposal imply that keeping one’s mind stimulated could be influential in delaying the onset of dementia which could have an effect on extending the time older adults are independent and productive members of our society.
Key Words: Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; healthcare; Medicare; traditional education
