Small changes can make big difference for older adults’ mental health

Engaging in one new activity every day can significantly enhance memory, mood, and overall well-being for older adults, a study from the University of Toronto reveals. Small changes, such as taking a different route, can stimulate the brain and improve quality of life, particularly for those at risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Published in Nature: Scientific Reports, this research explores the concept of “experiential diversity,” where adding novel activities to daily life can enhance cognitive function and general well-being in older adults. The study found that even minor changes, such as altering a daily routine, can have a meaningful impact on mental health, according to a scientific website.

“Next to age, an under-stimulating environment and social isolation are among the greatest risk factors for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Morgan Barense, co-author of the study and a psychology professor at the University of Toronto. Lead author Melissa E. Meade, who conducted the research during her postdoctoral fellowship at Barense’s lab, added that simple, fresh experiences can make a big difference. “Something as simple as bringing your grandmother flowers from your garden can have a meaningful effect on memory and mood,” she noted.

The study involved 18 healthy participants, averaging 71 years old, who were encouraged to engage in new activities for eight weeks during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Using a neuroscience-based smartphone app, HippoCamera, participants recorded and replayed daily events, tracking emotions, time perception, and boredom. Results showed that engaging in new activities improved memory, increased positive emotions, reduced boredom, and made time feel like it passed faster.

The study's findings underscore the importance of novelty in improving well-being. “Small changes, like taking a different route during your daily walk, can have a meaningful impact,” Barense explained. The research also highlighted the brain’s hippocampus and striatum regions, both crucial for memory and emotional processing, which are stimulated by new experiences.

Barense's next research will explore using HippoCamera in long-term care settings to improve memory and encourage experiential diversity among elderly residents.

By Naila Huseynova