Professor Oosterman works at the Department of Neuro- and Rehabilitation Psychology. Her research focuses on normal cognitive ageing, such as memory and attention loss, and the large individual differences in it. ‘Not everyone experiences the same cognitive decline with age. Some stay sharp, while others experience mild impairments early in the ageing process,’ Oosterman explains.
What determines healthy ageing?
Oosterman emphasises that factors such as a healthy lifestyle play an important role in how the brain ages. High blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems can affect the ageing process, but there are also elderly people who, despite these risk factors, experience hardly any cognitive complaints. This so-called cognitive resilience is a central theme of her research. Oosterman investigates why some people are able to cope better with brain damage than others, and how they can train their brains to remain resilient for as long as possible.
Pain as an underexposed problem
Part of Oosterman’s work also includes research on pain in the elderly. Pain is often seen as a symptom, but can be a condition in itself, especially in older adults. Chronic pain occurs in 40% to 50% of over-65s, often with a negative impact on daily functioning and well-being. Pain is still under-researched as an independent problem, notes Oosterman. ‘Pain is not only physical; the brain plays a crucial role in how pain is experienced and managed.’
In her oration, Oosterman called for more research and attention to pain in the elderly. She calls for attention to research to gain a better understanding of how changes in the brain can affect the experience of pain itself, as well as the ability to report on it. This will ultimately enable us to better treat pain.
A healthy future
Oosterman looks positively to the future. She hopes her research will help improve care for the elderly and that new technologies will expand opportunities for research into cognitive and pain problems. Her message for healthy ageing? ‘Keep challenging yourself, both physically and mentally,’ says Oosterman. ‘A healthy lifestyle helps, but cognitive activities can be just as valuable in maintaining a resilient brain.’
Watch Joukje Oosterman's full inaugural lecture below and find out more about her views on healthy ageing. The lecture is in Dutch but you are able to add translated subtitles in YouTube.