The Impact of Education, Exercise and Lifetime Stimulation on Intellectual Function

1. Clinical Overview Primary care physicians are often asked to recommend behavioral changes that might improve an older person’s chance for successful aging. The primary care physician can use insights from clinical, basic science, and pathological research to recommend intellectual, physical, and psychosocial stimulation as part of their cognitive wellness program for middle aged and older patients. The definition of successful aging can be divided into three domains including physical, social, and psychocognitive (1). In one study, 20% of older individuals reported poor physical functioning, 40% reported problems with social function, and 36% were identified as having psychiatric or severe cognitive disability. Only 13% achieved optimal scores for high overall functioning and 10% met all criteria for successful aging. Although elders experience many types of physical, mental, and social stressors, the majority continue to endorse a sense of wellbeing. This sense of accomplishment can become a major support for the successful aging of an older person (1).