The findings of a new health study may be able to help stave off the need for home health care NH, ME, MA and RI residents rely on with the onset of dementia for a few years longer, at least.

Research conducted on nearly 500,000 people in France, making this the largest study on this particular topic, found that people who retire later in life have a lessened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Approximately 5 million American’s suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. There is currently no cure for the disease, which the cause for is unclear.

While an important development, it is not particularly surprising since we know that continued use of the brain for certain purposes can help us stay sharp. Work promotes continued use of cognitive faculties, physical activeness and social skills. These are all things that prevent mental decline.

The study, carried out by the French government’s health research agency, INSERM, specifically found that the risk of dementia is reduced by 3.2 percent for each additional year of work. The results were presented Monday, July 15, 2013 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Boston, MA. The research came from over 420,000 health records of French workers, who averaged out to an age of 74 years old and had been retired for an average of 12 years. Three percent of the records showed dementia; but the older the person was at the point of retirement, the lower the risk of dementia. Individuals who retired at 65 had a 15 percent lower risk than someone who retired at 60 (other affecting factors were taken into account).

This research could help to decrease the number of people with dementia, if they choose to continue to work past the average retirement age. Currently mandatory retirement is considered unlawful in most cases, except in instances where it is justified by the need for high physical fitness or mental ability. Pilots, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, and Florida and New Jersey Supreme Court justices are examples of when a retirement age may be compulsory.  Could the new information from France shorten this list to purely physical jobs, now that it appears working longer has health benefits?

Of course, not everyone wants to stay on the payroll forever. There are alternatives to working 9 to 5, including part time jobs, taking classes, and attending social clubs or community events. Staying cognitively and social active can be just as beneficial as traditional “work.” The best part is you can do it on your own time.

Even following the best advice isn’t always enough. Some people inevitably end up needing extra assistance to maintain their independence and a high quality of life. MAS Home Care is there to provide the home health care NH needs. For the best home care services, contact MAS Home Care of New Hampshire at 603-296-0960 today.

MAS Home Care provides in-home care services in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.