Can Ham Radio Prevent Dementia?

Dementia, simply put, is a decline of mental ability, usually associated with age. Folks with dementia typically have problems functioning and performing activities of daily living.

Well, a Study in Sweden suggests that mentally and socially stimulated people reduce their risk of this diagnosis.

Data from the 1987–1996 Kungsholmen Project, a longitudinal population-based study suggests that "stimulating activity, either mentally or socially oriented, may protect against dementia, indicating that both social interaction and intellectual stimulation may be relevant to preserving mental functioning in the elderly."

Wouldn't you agree that we Amateur Radio operators are mentally and socially stimulated? I know I am. Both on and off the air, we hams have plenty to do, and plenty of fine folks to do it with.

Some examples of the many activities hams can engage in are antenna building, kit building repeaters, ARES nets, hamfests and echolink. There is a plethora of wonderful activities keeping hams mentally stimulated all over the world.

That said, my point that we hams are also socially stimulated should be self evident. Isn't the whole point of ham radio talking to other people?

In a side note: Ham radio ruined one of my previous "activities". Now I'd rather have a great time interacting on a roundtable than a boring time passivly watching some mindless TV show!

The study itself didn't expressly mention
Amateur Radio, I'm claiming this based on the study's conclusion.

I think on some level most hams feel the importance of their role, and would look at this reduced-dementia-risk-benefit as a fringe benefit of a hobby that is rewarding in so many other cherished ways.