Older brains can be better, smarter brains

Forgetting a name or two, taking longer to finish the crossword, or finding it hard to manage several tasks at once doesn't mean dementia is just around the corner. These experiences may actually be signs that the aging brain is changing the way it works. In many ways, it's actually working better. Older people have better judgment, are better at making rational decisions, and are better able to screen out negativity than their juniors

"The brain begins to compensate by using more of itself,"

Here are several ways an older individual may outperform his or her younger self:

Inductive reasoning. Older people are less likely to rush to judgment and more likely to reach the right conclusion based on the information at hand. This is an enormous help in everyday problem solving, from planning the most efficient way to do errands to managing staff at work.

Verbal expression. During middle age, many people continue to expand their vocabulary and hone their ability to express themselves.

Basic math. Splitting the check and figuring the tip when lunching with friends may come easier simply due to years of practice.

Accentuating the positive. The amygdala, the area of the brain that consolidates emotion and memory, is less responsive to negatively charged situations in older people than in younger ones. This may explain why studies have shown that people over 60 tend to brood less.

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