"keep the brain working"

the picture above (whoopee !!  I figured out how to import the picture) is from Better Homes & Gardens, January 2012 - part of an article about keeping Altzheimer's at bay.  And it involves MUSIC !! (what could be better... not much)
... says (cause I sure can't read the type)
Music Lessons for Adults
Want to hear a great song?  Make 2012 the year you step away from the stereo and pick up a guitar, trumpet, or a set of drumsticks.  ...Here's reason to tune up: Adults who study an instrument often come away with improved motor skills, auditory skills, and cognitive function, says Meagan Curtis, Ph.D., an assistant psychology professor and a music cognition expert at the State University of New York at Purchase College.  Your self-esteem might get a boost too.
...and ...there's no age limit on getting started....education researchers have found that adult learners (have) great self-motivation and sharper analytical abilities."

Sure has been my experience.