The brain is open to knowledge in old age

You never stop learning: studying in old age

04/11/2015

„You can not teach old dogs new tricks“ is a saying. However, findings from brain research refute this truism. Because in old age the brain is still open for new things. Learning a musical instrument or foreign language or starting a course of study - More and more seniors are using the time after retirement to educate themselves and keep their gray cell going.

Learning to age keeps the brain young
„The brain is plastic, so changeable by learning. This ability is maintained throughout the lifespan, "explains Ben Godde, a professor of neuroscience at the Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning in Bremen, speaking with the news agency „dpa“. Learning new things gets the gray cells going. „Because the brain is lazy. If challenged again, it adjusts its resources and increases its efficiency. "

How good the ability to learn in old age depends essentially on how well you have learned in previous years, says Miriam Haller, CEO of the study area guest student and senior citizen at the University of Cologne, told the news agency. Approximately 1,600 senior citizens take part in the program, of which one third complete traditional courses including examinations. Two-thirds are enrolled as guest students at the university. Haller said some of the older students would need a bit more time learning at one point or another. But this is compensated by her life experience in terms of reflection and transfer. „Some prove too many events or come up with time problems when it comes to reconciling their studies with the rest of their activities. "However, 19-year-old freshers are struggling with such difficulties, says Haller.

Older people learn what interests them
„Older people are often said to be less motivated to learn, "says Godde. „The motivation does not decrease, but it becomes more specific. Above all, older people learn what they are interested in. "This is also shown by the number of over 60-year-old students at public music schools, which has more than doubled in the past ten years, and currently about 15,800 senior citizens are learning a musical instrument However, at 1.5 percent, measured against all students in public music schools, it is low, with older people often being very motivated and good students when learning a musical instrument. „For grown-ups, it's not about becoming a concert pianist, they want to be able to play a very specific piece, "explains Claudia Wanner, spokeswoman for the Association of German Music Schools, to the news agency decide. „The piano, for example, has the advantage that you can always sit while playing music. "

Sports can be adapted to physique of elders
Even in sports seniors can learn a lot of new things. Karate coach Stefanie Nagl teaches a group of Regensburg women who are between mid-70s and mid-80s. In their circle of acquaintances, the older Karate students are indeed among the exotics, but they benefit immensely from the lessons. Originally, the group came together as part of a university study that examined the benefits of exercise in old age. The participants liked the exercises so much that they stayed with them. According to Nagl, the training here and there must be adapted to the elderly „Since the kick is just not up to the chin. "That's a pity but not the training effect. Her ladies are very ambitious and strive to improve their technology constantly.

The study also came to the conclusion three years ago that „Karate keeps you physically fit while you are in adulthood, and at the same time provides optimal brain jogging“, According to a statement from the University of Regensburg. (Ag)