Working protects against dementia

Summary
25 May 2009

A new study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that carrying on working into old age, rather than occupation or education, can help protect against dementia.

Reporter:
Adam Brimelow
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The study looked at nearly 400 men who developed Alzheimer's disease. It assessed the time they spent in full-time education, the type of work they did and the point at which they retired.

The researchers detected no link between the onset of dementia and education or occupation. But they found that every extra year at work was associated with a six week delay in Alzheimer's. They say this points to the value of keeping the brain active by working.

They also acknowledge that the nature of retirement is changing, and for some people it may be as intellectually stimulating as working. The Alzheimer's Research Trust, which funded the study, says more people than ever retire later in life to avert financial hardship, but there may be a silver lining: lower dementia risk. However it says much more research is needed in order to understand how to delay or prevent dementia.

Adam Brimelow, BBC News

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Vocabulary
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developed
began to suffer from
assessed
examined/studied and then came to conclusions about
detected no link
found no connection
the onset of
the moment at which something unpleasant begins
dementia
when the functions of the brain become progressively worse
was associated with
here, caused, was connected with
points to the value of
shows that something - here, working - is good
the nature of retirement is changing
people who no longer work because of old age spend their time differently than old people did in the past (e.g. they travel more, do more physical and mental activities etc.)
intellectually stimulating
making the brain work
a silver lining
a benefit (comes from the proverb 'every cloud has a silver lining', meaning there is a positive side to everything, even to bad things)
BBC Learning English
Words in the News
25th
May 2009
Working protects against dementia



Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2009
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com



Research suggests that carrying on working into old age can help protect against dementia. A
study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry concludes that extended
employment has a positive effect. Here's our Health Correspondent, Adam Brimelow:

The study looked at nearly 400 men who developed Alzheimer's disease. It assessed the time
they spent in full-time education, the type of work they did and the point at which they retired.

The researchers detected no link between the onset of dementia and education or
occupation. But they found that every extra year at work was associated with a six week
delay in Alzheimer's. They say this points to the value of keeping the brain active by
working.

They also acknowledge that the nature of retirement is changing, and for some people it
may be as intellectually stimulating as working. The Alzheimer's Research Trust, which
funded the study, says more people than ever retire later in life to avert financial hardship, but
there may be a silver lining: lower dementia risk. However it says much more research is
needed in order to understand how to delay or prevent dementia.

Adam Brimelow, BBC News


Words in the news © British Broadcasting Corporation 2009
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

developed began to suffer from
assessed examined/studied and then came to conclusions about
detected no link found no connection
the onset of the moment at which something unpleasant begins
dementia when the functions of the brain become progressively
worse
was associated with here, caused, was connected with
points to the value of shows that something - here, working - is good
the nature of retirement is
changing
people who no longer work because of old age spend their
time differently than old people did in the past (e.g. they
travel more, do more physical and mental activities etc.)
intellectually stimulating making the brain work
a silver lining a benefit (comes from the proverb 'every cloud has a silver
lining', meaning there is a positive side to everything, even
to bad things)