A retirement decision is not an easy one since there are a lot of pros and cons to take into account. Either from the amount you might have managed to save. Or the Social Security benefit to how to fill up your free time. According to Binghamton University, their new and recent study shows some worrying information for those who retire early and get a benefit. Doing so can make cognitive weakening go faster and faster.
Their research tried to explore the connection between having something like Social Security retirement benefits and how it can bring about cognitive worsening. It was a study they carried out in China with the help of elderly people. They focused on two things dealing with cognitive performance. This two functioning were intact mental status and episodic memory.
Experts usually define the first one as the capacity to identify and remember your identity, as well as the place in both time and space. The latter refers to what you can remember from both past and recent experiences. We need to bear in mind that there is a growing population that is going to start retirement in just a few years. So it is important that there are studies that look into the negative effects retirement benefits could have among seniors. In this way, society can look for ways to prevent them.
What did the survey show regarding social relationships among those who had retirement benefits and those who did not?
Those who took part in the survey and got something like a Social Security retirement benefit had less social interaction. Of course, they compared it with those who did not get a benefit. Besides, they found that being alone affects cognitive decline. Therefore it is important to engage in as many social activities as you can while you can. This will delay the weakening process.
Despite the fact that this survey and study show the negative side of providing the population with retirement benefits once they are older, there is some good news too. There is some evidence that our brains are somehow adaptable and able to improve. Even if we are in late adulthood, which is fantastic because there is room for improvement.
A further point is that they found something else. Not everybody that gets retirement benefits is going to be affected. Of course, by the weakening of their cognitive skills. There are many people who retire and are as busy as when they worked but with other tasks. It could be DIY, reading, lectures, dance clubs, and so on. What really depends on you is the willingness to take up a few hobbies to keep your brain active and busy. Star now and do not blame retirement benefits for your cognitive problems.