Understanding Seniors and Memory Loss
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
Memory undergoes certain changes throughout our elderly years. There are moments when stressful times can cause forgetfulness, which is normal for many people. However, seniors do begin to get concerned if their forgetfulness occurs more often than they’re used to.
For seniors, memory loss is something to be concerned about.
Many people forget their keys, their cell phones, or even important appointments. For others they forget important events, information, and people.
Memory loss can greatly impact day-to-day living and quality of life.
Let’s explore the causes, types and some techniques for you and your senior to manage memory loss.
What can cause memory loss?
Normal aging. Understand that mild forgetfulness is completely normal for many older adults. This is known as age-associated memory impairment. It happens with the aging process.
Alzheimer’s disease. Most common form of dementia and progressively affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Vascular dementia. This is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain and results in memory problems and impaired cognitive function.
Other medical conditions. Parkinson’s disease, depression, thyroid disorders, and vitamin D deficiencies can bring on memory loss.
What are the types of memory loss?
Short-term memory loss. Many seniors struggle to retain information. This makes it challenging to remember anything new brough to their attention, including places and people or stories you’ve told them.
Long-term memory loss. This is when past events are hard to recall. Even personal history or memories from more recently passed years are difficult to remember.
Working memory loss. The elderly can experience a struggle while multitasking, solving problems, and remembering directions or instructions.
What are some techniques to manage memory loss?
Healthy lifestyle. This goes without saying, a healthy life can greatly reduce memory loss. Physical activity, good nutrition and quality sleep are very helpful. Most importantly, reducing stress is essential. Be sure to find time to take a break each and every day.
Mental stimulation. Puzzles, Bingo, reading, writing, learning new languages… all of these things can help stimulate and exercise the brain for better memory recollection.
Routines. Muscle memory is important. It’s crucial to develop and stick to routines so we can build habits. This is especially true for healthy habits that we want to keep happening on a daily basis.
Social time. Engaging with others helps our brains think and stay active. When we engage with loving relationships we are generally happier and more calm, too. Discussions can also bring about memory and help us recall situations we may have forgotten.
Memory aids. Some memories don’t harm us if we forget but there are others that can be problematic. For instance, to remember to take medications and which ones you have taken, use a pill organizer. Have a calendar available and be sure to jot down every important note and appointment. Set alarms on your phone. Have a journal so you can reflect on past events.
It’s lovely that you are here on this blog to learn about seniors and memory loss, but we highly encourage you to also speak with your doctor or your senior’s health care professional. Medical intervention is going to be the best approach for any sign of memory loss.
If you need any guidance in Simcoe County, please contact us. We can direct you and help answer any questions you may have regarding your senior’s needs.
We’re here for you!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about memory loss and should not be construed as medical advice.
