Learning A New Language Can Help Stop Dementia

According to health-based statistics, African Americans are more likely to develop dementia than other ethnicities as they age. The numbers show that over 21% of Black people who are 70 and over are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that the disease can affect Black people 14 – 100% more than other ethnicities. Since it’s still not completely clear why that is, it’s essential to focus on what you can do to prevent the development or progression of dementia. One possibility is learning a second language. 

Why A Second Language Fights Dementia

You may have heard the phrase ‘exercise your brain,’ but researchers advise that thinking of the brain as a muscle is not always helpful. It’s not that simple. You might not be able to give your brain a workout, but training it to be better at specific tasks is possible.

Since dementia involves the loss of mental acuity, it made sense to study different areas that can impact preventing this deterioration.

To find answers, the experts studied how bilingual people experience dementia. The results showed that those who spoke a second language often delayed the progression of the disease by 5 – 7 years.

It was also noted that being bilingual was linked to performing better at cognitive tests in general. Researchers estimate that this happens because people have grown accustomed to juggling two different languages. This thought also explains why bilingual or multilingual students are much better at multitasking. 

While the studies continue, researchers are encouraging people who have or are at risk of developing dementia to harness the cognitive benefits of being bilingual. It’s not a cure, but learning another language may be an effective way to postpone your cognitive decline as the research continues. 

Tips For Learning A Second Language

It might be easy to think that learning another language can’t be possible as an adult. Research says otherwise, though. You can learn a new language if you use certain tricks to help.

One thing you need to identify is how you learn. Some learners are successful with language websites, especially the ones that make learning fun.

While there are multiple online options that you can use, some people find it easier to pick up languages through a teacher. It’s a good idea to look for courses in your area that suit you. 

Research also supports daily practice to build your language skills, so make time for that. Even if you only take classes a few times per week, you can still practice independently.

If other people around you speak the language you’re learning, that can be a great help, too. Being around others even has the additional benefit of social interactions. Research shows that some adults have trouble adopting the accents associated with specific languages. However, interacting with those who already speak them can greatly help.

That leads to an important question – Which language should you learn? The answer, of course, isn’t set in stone. There’s no one great language that works for everyone, so this is another way online teaching platforms can come in handy. They’re a great way to try a few languages to see what works for you.

Finally, don’t give up if things don’t go as quickly as you thought. You’re learning something new, and that always takes time. 

Learning a second language can make a significant difference when preventing or delaying dementia. Though this is serious, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while learning. The essential thing is that you put in the effort.