A recent article in the NY Times suggests that retiring may be linked with mental decline. Reseach data from the U.S., England, and 11 other European countries shows that the earlier people retire, the more quickly their memories decline.
Of course, it is impossible to really show the one-to-one effect of retirement to mental decline, because causative factors are difficult to isolate. Reseach has not proved, for example, that cognitive exercises like crossword puzzles and memory games improve brain power. But the hypothesis in the Times article is even possible because of current comparable data collection in so many countries.
It seems that the longer people in a given country keep working, the better they do–as a group–on memory tests, when they are in their ’60′s. But what aspect of work keeps their brains lively? And what kinds of work? (The survey does not distinguish among various kinds of work, and some kinds of work are certainly more mentally stimulating.) One of the authors of the study, Robert Willis, professor of economics at the University of Michigan, believes that social and personality skills may be operating–getting up in the morning, co-operating on a task, being prompt and trustworthy.
Even though correlation does not prove causation, of course, the study calls for more attention to these issues. Is it the social engagement that’s important? Is it the aerobic quality–just getting up and going out? Is it the exercise of the brain on a task? Or is it what happens after a person retires–like more sitting around and watching TV?
I would guess, in terms of causation, “all of the above.” However, we all have heard of the individual who retires and then goes into a decline and even dies. This is not an unusual response to retirement. What’s going on here? I personally think it may have to do with a sense of loss, a lack of belonging. There is no longer the human connection, the accountability, that ties us to one another. When that is gone, people often lose their sense of usefulness, their power to interact with others in creative ways on a common task which they deem important. The result is often depression, and we know that depression has an adverse effect on mental functioning.
The scripture says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Actually, when we humans believe we can no longer give, we lose mental, emotional, and physical vitality. To maintain our vital selves, we have to continue to interact, to create, and to contribute. No one should ever “retire” to the easy chair and the TV–that’s a killer, literally.
