Use of Reason and Age

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In Catholic theology, we grow in reason and reach the age of reason at age 7 in general.
We are to grow in reason and the gifts of the Holy spirit by cooperating with these graces.
Yet, it would appear that at a certain age, people lose reason. I refer to those who grow old into the elderly years. Not everyone who grows old, but to many who do, it is as though they lose these things or grow less in these things.

Beyond recognizing a physical decline in abilities, what can Catholic philosophy say about this? It seems odd that one would lose ie wisdom so long as they cooperate with it simply for growing older.
 
People can have degenerative diseases that take logic, but I think you’d be remiss to declare it as a universal problem of old age.

And even with those degenerative diseases there are often periods of lucidity we couldn’t expect from a young child.
 
the question has more to do with losing these gifts though they are supposed to grow the more you participate with them.

I understand disease and what not, but is that a sufficient answer from a Catholic perspective?
 
The reason people lose these “gifts” is sin.
Kids are full of goodness, wonder, charity, love, and laughter.
It’s sin that makes us bad, prideful, selfish, hateful, and mean.

We suffer from this to varying degrees. Age and infirmity sometime make it harder for people to remember love & forgiveness.
 
I think the answer is this
The gifts continue to be there but it is limited by the physical body.
It’s like a light covered with a frosted glass. The light itself continues to shine but if the glass is getting more frosted then it prevents the light from getting out. But that doesn’t mean the light got dimmer itself.
 
God engineered a limited life span into each and every cell in our bodies. The aging process as well. This indicates that we are intended for another life. However, from the Book of Sirach (3:14-15):
Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life; And
if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not
when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not
be forgotten.
Click to expand...
The mind fails, for it is of the flesh, but the spirit livers on as it was.
 
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Just reminded about this article, since we mentioned this problem.
“Bilingualism helps to delay Alzheimer’s symptom onset; it has been proved that this does not only benefit those who acquired their second language in early infancy. Those who learned a second language and became bilingual in adulthood also benefit. Therefore it’s a tip for educational institutions to make a concerted effort to promote language learning. This will certainly cut down the incidence of Alzheimer’s in old age.”

The truth is that besides foreign languages any kind of learning in adulthood; such as math, music, has a very invigorating effect on the brain. Chess, memorizing text, philosophy, history, , the list is long. Engage, use the brain.
We can also mention the theology, (Bible study) but theology has much more bigger effect. If you study the Word of God, in psycho-spiritual sphere the miracle effect is possible, including the healings of oncology, the healings of the heart/brain/will/memory… but since the theology is about the eternal and not about the temporal, its about the Supreme Being and His supernatural influenluence on us, that’s why I just touched a little on theology therapeutic effect.

“Relationship between bilingualism and Alzheimer’s”

 
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the ability to reason when it comes to infusion of a soul requires that the matter is organized to accept the soul. Some think the brain has to be present or a pattern that will grow into a brain. Once it does grow into a brain the powers of the soul that use the brain to reason aren’t able to operate because the brain is defiscient…imo

Edit: in the case of brain disease
 
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