Some interesting, recent research suggests being bilingual can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia by increasing brain capacity.

A study of bilingual children found that their brains were wired differently than their monolingual peers. Bilingual children are better at “executive processing”; in other words, they are better able to pay attention, switch between tasks, and plan and organize thoughts. And it seems that these excellent executive processing skills carry into adulthood and even old age. 

Some new research suggests that seniors who move around more – not necessarily regular vigorous exercise but just gardening, and even puttering around the house tidying up – are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than their sedentary peers.

The study doesn’t go so far as to say being active in such ways will lower one’s risk of Alzheimer’s, but it does suggest that those who are moderately active as they age, even in simple ways like the ones mentioned above, are less likely to develop the disease. Science has long looked at the relationship between an active lifestyle and brain health. It makes sense – being active gets oxygen-rich blood flowing, which promotes health, healing and general well being.

From the article, “Everyday Activities Might Lower Alzheimer’s Risk:”