Cognitive ability better among bilingual
Seniors who are bilingual
and have spoken two or
more languages since
their youth may have cognitive
advantages over adults
who have only spoken one
language their entire lives.
A new study headed by
Brian Gold, a neuroscientist
at the University of Kentucky
College of Medicine,
which was published in the
journal Neuroscience, found
that bilingualism leads to
heightened mental skills. In
the study, participants were
divided into three groups: bilingual
seniors, monolingual
seniors, and younger adults.
Each group was instructed
to sort colors and shapes in a
series of simple cognitive exercises.
The researchers used
a brain imaging technique to
compare how well the subjects
switched between mental
tasks. The results indicated
there were different patterns
of brain activity among the
groups when the tasks were
being completed.
The patterns showed that
bilingual seniors were able to
switch between tasks and activate
their brains in a manner
closer to the younger
subjects. They didn’t have to
expend much effort, and they
out-performed their peers
who were monolingual. The
researchers surmised the bilingual
How to stretch retirement savings
Caribbean Life, N 38 ovember 15-21, 2019
seniors were using
their brains more effi ciently.
Other studies have shown
bilingualism pays even more
dividends, including improved
cognitive function
in those suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease. A study
titled “Lifelong Bilingualism
Maintains Neural Effi ciency
for Cognitive Control in Aging,”
found that even though
seniors who spoke dual languages
had more brain atrophy
due to Alzheimer’s,
they were still able to function
better than individuals
with lower levels of atrophy
who spoke one language. Researchers
believe that being
bilingual strengthens the
brain’s capacity for doing
work, even if it is working at
a defi cit.
The jury is still out as to
whether learning a second
language or moving to a foreign
country as an adult can
provide the same level of cognitive
advantage as being bilingual
from childhood. However,
learning a new language
can help keep the brain sharp.
Many experts now believe
learning a second language
is no harder when you’re getting
on in years than when
you’re a child.
There are different methods
to learning a new language:
• Foreign language tapes
• Grammar and vocabulary
books from a child’s foreign
language class
• A foreign language tutor
• Vocabulary index cards
• Moving to a foreign country
and learning through immersion
Bilingual seniors have
distinct cognitive advantages
over other people who
are monolingual. Urging
children to learn a new language
or learning as an adult
can have profound effects on
mental abilities.
Wellness
Seniors who have been bilingual since childhood have cognitive advantages
over those who only speak one language.
Many budding retirees
plan to travel, relax,
and enjoy the company
of their spouses when
they offi cially stop working.
But such plans only are possible
if men and women take
steps to secure their fi nancial
futures in retirement.
According to a recent
survey by the personal fi -
nance education site MoneyTips.
com, roughly onethird
of Baby Boomers have
no retirement plan. The reason
some may have no plan
is they have misconceptions
about how much money they
will need in retirement. Successful
retirees understand
the steps to take and how to
live on a budget.
Have a plan. Many people
simply fail to plan for
retirement. Even men and
women who invest in an
employer-sponsored retirement
program, such as a
401(k), should not make that
the only retirement planning
they do. Speak with a
fi nancial advisor who can
help you develop a plan that
ensures you don’t outlive
your assets.
Set reasonable goals.
Retirement nest eggs do
not need to be enormous.
Many retirees have a net
worth of less than $1 million,
and many people live
comfortably on less than
$100,000 annually. When
planning for retirement,
don’t be dissuaded because
you won’t be buying
a vineyard or villa in Europe.
Set reasonable goals
for your retirement and
make sure you meet those
goals.
Recognize there is no
magic wealth-building
plan. Saving comes down to
formulating a plan specifi c
to your goals, resources,
abilities, and skills. Make
saving a priority and take
advantage of employersponsored
retirement programs
if they are offered.
Don’t underestimate
spending. You will need
money in retirement, and
it’s best that you don’t underestimate
just how much
you’re going to need. No one
wants to be stuck at home
during retirement, when
people typically want to enjoy
themselves and the freedom
that comes with retirement.
Speak to a fi nancial
planner to develop a reasonable
estimate of your living
expenses when you plan to
retire.
Pay down or avoid
debt while you can. Retiring
with debt is a big risk.
Try to eliminate all of your
debts before you retire and,
once you have, focus your
energy on growing your investments
and/or saving
money for retirement.
Start early on retirement
saving. It’s never
too early to begin saving
for retirement. Although
few twenty-somethings are
thinking about retirement,
the earlier you begin to invest
the more time you have
to grow your money. Enroll
in a retirement plan now so
you have a larger nest egg
when you reach retirement
age.