Mental stimulation, neural plasticity, and aging: directions for nursing research and practice

An unprecedented increase in the number of older adults and consequent age-related cognitive declines may negatively contribute to an already overwhelmed healthcare system. Many older adults report cognitive changes and express interest in methods to maintain cognitive functioning. Mental stimulatio...

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Published inThe Journal of neuroscience nursing Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 241 - 249
Main Authors Vance, David E, Webb, Nicole M, Marceaux, Janice C, Viamonte, Sarah M, Foote, Anne W, Ball, Karlene K
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, WK Health 01.08.2008
American Association of Neurosurgical Nurses
Subjects
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aging - physiology
Aging - psychology
Cognition - physiology
Cues
Geriatric Assessment
Geriatric Nursing
Health aspects
Health Promotion - methods
Humans
Neural stimulation
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neuroplasticity
Nurse's Role
Nursing
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Research
Patient Education as Topic
Physical Stimulation
Problem Solving
Psychological aspects
Reminder Systems
Alabama
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Summary:An unprecedented increase in the number of older adults and consequent age-related cognitive declines may negatively contribute to an already overwhelmed healthcare system. Many older adults report cognitive changes and express interest in methods to maintain cognitive functioning. Mental stimulation that consists of cognitively challenging activities is a means to facilitate neural plasticity, which can increase cognitive reserve and result in maintained or improved cognitive functioning. In addition, compensatory activities may provide mental stimulation that can improve cognitive functioning and increase cognitive reserve. Several mental stimulation (e.g., education, cognitive remediation therapy) and mental compensation (e.g., spaced retrieval method, method of loci) strategies are described in this article. Because nurses have a significant amount of direct contact with older adults, these strategies have important implications for nursing practice and research.
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ISSN:0888-0395
1945-2810
DOI:10.1097/01376517-200808000-00008