TAKING LEISURE SERIOUSLY: LEISURE-BASED INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT COGNITIVE HEALTH

摘要

Older adults are looking for ways to increase their cognition and prevent age-related cognitive decline. In this symposium, we will assess whether participation in cognitively stimulating leisure activities improves cognition in older adults. A large number of epidemiological studies have indeed shown that being engaged in such activities is associated with better cognitive health in older adults. Thus, interventions involving leisure activities might help to prevent cognitive decline while at the same time being ecologically valid and easy to implement in the community. The symposium will present studies that have developed and tested leisure-based interventions meant to stimulate cognition in older adults. It will cover programs that rely on a variety of leisure activities, ranging from crafts, music and artistic production to technological learning and volunteering. Furthermore, the symposium will touch on major issues related to the use of leisure activities as a way to increase cognition. In addition to measuring the potential for these interventions to improve cognition, the symposium will address effects on well-being, the role of family members, the potential for web-based applications, the most effective intervention modalities and their effects on brain function.