A recent study by the University of West London’s Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory found that video conferencing services like Zoom has helped older people stave off the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The study was massive, analyzing data from 11,418 men and women over the age of 50 who were asked how often they interacted with friends and family online, on the phone and in person. They then completed memory tests which involved recalling keywords at various intervals. Researchers found that regular communication helps seniors maintain long-term memory and those that use online tools have shown less decline in memory than those who don’t. “This shows for the first time the impact of diverse, frequent and meaningful interaction on long-term memory, and specifically, how supplementing more traditional methods with online social activity may achieve that among older adults,†said Snorri Rafnsson, the study’s lead author.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away. There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch. They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900. They have also been doing more and more support groups online since the pandemic started, something I believe will continue into the future.
