What are the biggest barriers to staying mentally sharp?

According to the National Council on Aging’s survey of Denver adults 60+, seniors in Denver are more concerned about staying mentally sharp as they age than those in other US cities. What do Denver adults 60+ believe contributes most significantly to age-related loss of mental acuity?

  1. Mental illness or memory loss
  2. Stress
  3. Depression, loneliness, isolation
  4. Inactivity

The most popular answer was “depression, loneliness, isolation.”

That answer was chosen by 62% of those surveyed. But, interestingly, all of the above answers were chosen by 55% or more of the surveyed Denver seniors.

The most important thing to remember is that a service like Seniors Helping Seniors can provide services that mitigate many of these issues. We carefully match our caregivers with clients to make sure that a personal connection and level of trust is established. That helps clients maintain a more positive attitude and relieves some of the stress of living independently. Our caregivers can encourage greater physical activity and mental stimulation.

To find complete results of the Denver survey, download the report here.