There was a recent article in the NY Times about a group of women in their nineties who play bridge daily. The card game is their social network, their mental challenge, and their reason for getting dressed up, Bridge is their way of life.
Driven in large part by the baby boomers, contract bridge is experiencing a resurgence. Picking up the card game in college boomers neglected the game to start a career and raise families. Now with the average age of a bridge player at 51, it is evident the boomers are back at the card table. Ask any bridge player and they will tell you that not only does bridge keep you smarter longer, the card game can also make you smarter in the first place.
Other research shows that typical cognitive decline associated with longevity can be fended off, at least to a degree, by a lifestyle that involves social engagement and activities that are mentally challenging. Sounds like bridge to me!
Now we can say for a fact that being alone is not only sad but it can lead to earlier dementia, other illnesses, other illnesses and premature death. That is one of the reasons that developers of programs that help seniors stay in their homes emphasize cultural activities as an essential part of healthy aging.
The only thing the research and the article didn't talk about was whether or not you were a good or a bad bridge player. Does that make a difference in brain maintenance? Probably not and that is a good thing for those of us who are bridge newbies.
To your success at healthy aging,
Ruthan Brodsky
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