Whether a senior is in a college classroom or absorbed in a good book, doctors say any type of intellectual stimulation can contribute to continued physical and mental health. Computer knowledge is useful too, Jobe said, both because of the hands-on experience and the social aspect of the World Wide Web. Seniornet is tapping into a growing demand in the older population for computer and Internet skills. But now I just learn and learn. My friends who don't stay involved are always sick or complaining about something, and they seem a lot older than I am.
Doctors say there is a probable link between intellectual activity and mental ability.
Psychiatrists at the University of Victoria in British Columbia are conducting a study to determine what affects changes in mental acuity. Researchers found that people 55 and older who regularly engage in intellectually demanding activities score higher on cognitive tests. Elderhostel, a non-profit academic organization for people 55 years and older, runs educational programs in all 50 states and several countries around the world. Participants can study everything from marine biology in California to native artwork in Scandinavia. Grimes has been on several Elderhostel trips, and she's currently planning her next Elderhostel adventure in France.