Weblog Article#6: At the Bridge Table, Clues to a Lucid Old Age

Name: Wendy Cheng (49712053)
Date: 06/12/2009
My Reactions:
With the great improve of medical technology; modern people tend to live longer as well as healthier. The world has entered the aging population society since the past several years. Not only common people but also scientists are eager to reveal the secret of longevity. The article provides us one method to remain lucid when we get old—playing bridge. Benedict describes some evidences which are found by scientists and researchers. In the article Benedict also writes down how the sharp aged live their remaining years in Laguna Woods in Calif., which is the special community created for studies and researches.

As far as I am concerned, the results of the study are very interesting and amazing. There are various factors making the elders’ brain without serious ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. I have heard from news that keeping using and challenging one’s mind can prevent them from dementia. In addition, spending part of time on engrossing in some mental activities, taking healthy diet, doing regular exercise, and contacting with other people can all delay the symptoms of dementia. I am surprised that social connections play an important role in having lucid brain at one’s late age. I think that the elders are similar to children in mental way; the elders always feel lonely when they don’t have any companion. Therefore, the elders may quickly become disoriented or degenerate. Take my grandmother as an example; her symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease had gotten much more visible since she didn’t interact with her friends. On the contrary, my grandfather has lucid mind although he is over 85 years old. He reads news paper and watches TV every day. The reason why his brain works well is that he keeps in touch with the outside world instead of isolating himself from others.

I learn much knowledge from the article. So far, the researches have found that lucid centenarians carry a unique gene. The discovery gives them new hope for future treatments. However, recent therapy still can’t cure Alzheimer’s disease completely. At least we make progress in this field. (344 words)