NBER paper finds labour shocks drive cognitive decline in older men
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · May 1
NBER paper finds labour shocks drive cognitive decline in older men
2 articles · Updated · Financial Times · May 1
The working paper says declines are concentrated among men aged 51 to 64, linking negative local labour demand shocks to worsening cognitive scores over time.
The findings extend earlier research focused mainly on retirement-age people, suggesting unemployment itself can leave lasting mental as well as economic scars.
The authors say evidence of an employment-cognition link before retirement could strengthen policy arguments for keeping older people in work amid ageing populations and dementia costs.
Could innovative workplace redesign and age-inclusive policies truly slow cognitive decline among older workers, or are deeper societal shifts required for lasting impact?
With dementia costs soaring and Social Security facing insolvency, is extending employment the only solution, or are there overlooked alternatives to protect brain health and economic stability?