Those of you who have read this column before are aware that I frequently write about the relationships between the attitudes of aging folks and their quality of life. The March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry reports on a study that relates to these relationships. Specifically, aging individuals who report that they have greater purpose in their lives seem to be less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and it’s successor, Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most feared outcomes of growing older. In that context, these are very important research findings. When we can identify any factor that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and that can be manipulated, it becomes an important consideration for aging persons, their loved ones, and society as a whole.  Combine that with a rapidly-growing aging population and we have a major interest in changing things that can be changed.  Perhaps purposefulness is one of those things.

In this study, purpose in life was defined as “the psychological tendency to derive meaning from life’s experiences and to possess a sense of intentionality and goal directedness that guides behavior.”  I have frequently written about the irony portrayed by this definition.  North American cultures have come to associate aging primarily with declining health, immobility, and diminishing economic returns.  That is, we see old people as costing a lot to maintain and bringing little economic productivity to the equation.  Since we tend to consider the economic value of individuals very highly, we have a negative view of aging.

This would be unfortunate even if it was true.  Most cultures have traditionally valued their elders for their wisdom and contributions to their society over the course of their lives.  The higher economic costs and lower economic productivity of elders was deemed to be a normal part of the generational process.  Moreover, to a large degree the perception of older persons as economic liabilities is based on outdated facts, especially in North America.  In truth, the aging population is healthier and potentially more productive than in even the recent past.  Nevertheless, as this study indicates, unless we can bring this information into the belief systems of our society and our elderly, many of the benefits of medical, information and communication technology will be lost to them, because they will not seek them out.

Because of the irony of low expectations, today’s elderly are not very likely to pursue “greater purpose in their lives” and, thus, enjoy the health benefits for both themselves and society.  This will no doubt change over a few decades.  The reality of a healthier and happier senior population will eventually impact their expectations.  However, until then it will be up to those of us who can see their potential more clearly to encourage them to adopt some of the same goals for their older years that they did when they were young.  Improved mental health and reduced probability of Alzeheimer’s Disease are awesome prizes!

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• Your memory: How it works and how to improve it

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