Tag Archives: loss of memory

10 TIPS ON HOW TO IMPROVE MEMORY IN THE ELDERLY

memory

Advanced age is frequently accompanied by impairment of the memory. This happens because of a general decline in brain activity related to the age, reduction of the excitability of nerve cells, connections’ disturbances between neurons. Unfortunately, the aging process cannot be stopped and is irreversible, but to keep the clarity of mind to the very old age is for the most part in our power. Let’s talk about how to improve memory in old age.

General rules

1. Healthy surrounding conditions. It’s simple – for a good memory you need healthy functioning of the brain, and for this in its turn, it is necessary each day to maintain healthy surrounding conditions of work and recreation. Namely:

· do not work on the verge of physical or mental overstrain;
· rest every day, every week, every year;
· daily walk in the air.

2. Regular physical activity. For the good brain function a good blood circulation is needed, for which it is important to exercise regularly, to keep the muscles of the body in good shape. During physical exercises blood circulation improves, and therefore, the brain receives more nutrients. It is also helpful to walk. Useful are also anaerobic exercises, they include jogging and strength training. With regard to the age, it is best to train under the supervision of a trainer. He will help to make the training program based on your medical condition, age, experience, and past diseases.

3. Proper nutrition. For the good functioning of the brain it is necessary to eat healthy. Thus scientists have determined that in the daily diet of an elderly person fatty acids omega-3 should be present (fish is rich in them). Blueberry juice also has a positive influence on brain. It is this berry which is the most rich in antioxidants. They have a beneficial effect on the body and slow down the degradation process. Glucose intake is also important. Doctors often prescribe to elderly patients special medications with high glucose content. This component is essential for the normal functioning of memory, but with age it becomes harder to absorb it from food, so it is better to take pills. Nootropics also help to improve blood circulation in the brain. But remember that any medical products should be prescribed only by a doctor.

Tips on how to improve memory in the elderly

Aside from exercise and a special diet, what else can be done to improve memory in the elderly?

1. It is important to “load” memory. Learning a foreign language, logic tasks solving, doing puzzles – all that makes the “brain work”, that is, to remember, recall, to think. Any activity where your head has to handle a large amount of information will work in favor of your memory.

2. During each hour of work it’s important to do short breaks. You can get up, walk around the room and do some physical exercises. Thus the brain will switch from one activity to another, and it would benefit its functioning.

3. It is necessary to try to avoid stress and emotional experiences, as they lead to a loss of nerve cells, due to which reduction in attention and memory impairment occur. Chronic sleep deprivation can be referred to as stress to the body. For a complete relaxation of the brain, it is very important to get enough sleep every day.

4. A personal organizer can also help with senile forgetfulness. Now in stores there is a great variety of notebooks of different sizes and colors. Any person will find something to his liking. It is possible to record in it all the important dates and schedule actings. This will allow to “unload the head”.

5. Reading books trains memory well, because while reading not only visual memory works, but also motor memory and logical, associative and abstract thinking develop. But to improve your memory it is important not just to read, you need to do it properly, with the retelling of what you’ve read, as best of all we train our memory at the time when we recall the read! It is useful during the reading to mark the details of nature and temper of the main characters, their habits and the like. After reading a book recall all the storylines. Such memory training will benefit.

6. The peculiarity of all genius people is attention to details, when meeting a new person they can immediately see a lot of small details and remember them. Brilliant people are people with a well-functioning head, it is indisputable. Therefore, to improve memory in the elderly, it is possible to adopt this method of talented minds and to try to learn to be more attentive. To do this, you should try to look at any chosen object carefully, noting the details of its appearance, and then try to reproduce the details in your memory. Make it your useful habit.

7. There is a useful exercise to improve your memory at any age – learning poems by heart. Choose any poet interesting for you and start learning all his works by heart. And then recollect at any time.

8. People have known already quite for a long that music lessons are incredibly good for improvement of brain function. In advanced age you can sing yourself when you are alone at home or join a choir, or start learning playing some musical instrument, or you can do all together at once. Rehearsals, learning new texts, music, mastering new skills, help the brain to receive the load, which has a positive impact on the state of memory.

9. Do not forget about the psychology. Positive attitude helps to cope with any task. Elderly people are more susceptible to depression then all the others, but depression also leads to deterioration of memory. Such attitudes, as: “I am too old to learn new things,” “I am, after 30 years (40, 50, etc.) is useless,” and so forth, not only lead to the undermining of self-esteem, but also indirectly lead to memory impairment. Therefore, it is important to set yourself up correctly. Believe that life does not end in old age, but is just beginning – children have grown up, the work is over, there is a pension, it is possible live for your pleasure!

10. At any age it is useful to master the techniques and methods of mnemotechnics (mnemonics) – a science of making things easier to remember by forming associations, replacement of memorized objects and facts for familiar concepts and ideas.

Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: What’s the difference?

Alzheimers_text_640Very often these both diseases are mistaken for each other, this happens because both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the forms of dementia. It is very important for family members to distinguish the difference between them.

· Alzheimer’s disease is more common that vascular dementia. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, and the cause of vascular dementia is a stroke or lack of normal blood supply to the brain. Doctors believe that the risk of vascular dementia can be reduced by preventing a stroke: monitoring cholesterol level, blood pressure help a lot in preventing strokes.

· The symptoms of the forms of dementia are different. The symptoms of vascular dementia are observed on an earlier stage because they are really severe and sudden. Seniors with vascular dementia experience problems with walking and movements earlier than seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.

· The difference is also can be found in the progression of the diseases. Seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease experience slow cognitive decline, but patients with vascular dementia experience sudden changes one day and then have a period when these changes remain the same and then they experience another sudden changes.

· The prognosis for both diseases is also different. People who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease usually live longer because the disease progresses slower than vascular dementia. it is also harder to diagnose the survival time with vascular dementia because the main word for describing this disease is “sudden”. Please, keep in mind that statistics is only statistics and proper treatment and care can help patients to live longer.

· Both of the diseases may be difficult for family members to handle both emotionally and physically. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia cause unpleasant changes in people and it is very important for every family member to be positive.

Aromatherapy for Seniors

aromatherapy-for-seniors
Aromatherapy is a well-known type of alternative medicine that works with essential oils and other plants. Aromatherapy is known for its positive effect on human’s health and emotions. If we talk about seniors, aromatherapy can not only improve their mood, but also help with such diseases as respiratory infections, dementia, arthritis and others.

Remember that there are several ways how seniors can receive aromatherapy: oils, candles, baths or massages. The most commonly used essential oils in aromatherapy for seniors are:

Rosemary and Lavender

Both of the essential oils are known for improving memory and increasing cognitive performance. Lavender and rosemary decrease cortisol levels and both of them have soothing effect. Lavender and rosemary aromatherapy is a good choice if your aim is to de-stress and to have a deep night sleep.

Rose

Rose essential oils are commonly used in cosmetology; it helps to soften wrinkles and lines on the face. At the same time, rose oils have mood-improving effects and have antibacterial properties. Rose essential oils contain farnesol that kills bacteria. This oil works wonders on small scrapes and cuts.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil has such properties as increasing cognitive performance, decreasing stress level and increasing energy level.

It also helps to regulate the work of the digestive tract.

Lemon

Lemon essential oil is the number one choice for those seniors that feel depresses, stresses and for those who suffer from anxiety. Researchers agree on the fact that lemon is a great anti-depressant and it also helps to regulate blood pressure, increase memory abilities, etc.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil has antiseptic properties and it is used for healing wounds, ulcers, cuts, sores, etc. This essential oil is perfect for those seniors who suffer from different respiratory problems. It helps to fight cold, runny nose, cough, asthma, sore throat, bronchitis, etc.

Note! Before starting any kind of aromatherapy for adults, consult a doctor – aromatherapy shouldn’t interact with seniors’ medication process.

Do Vitamin D Supplements Reduce Risk of Falls?

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When people are getting older, falls become very common thing to many of them. What should be done to prevent dangerous falls among elderly age group? Below you will find important research information that will surely be helpful.

The results of the recent studies, which can be found in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, show that elderly people who took Vitamin D supplements daily had 72% fewer falls than those who didn’t take them. Scientists say that the needed and the most effective daily dose is 800 IU.

Other researches show that about half of the adult home and nursing home residents have at least one fall every year. Vitamin D and Vitamin D supplements help to strengthen the musculoskeletal system and save seniors from falling.

It’s should be noted that daily dose of Vitamin D for seniors, which is recommended by government, is 400 IU. If you think about taking bigger dose, we recommend consulting your doctor first.

Scientists agree that the safest way to receive vitamin D is to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. At an average, people need 25 minutes of the sun shining on the face and hands to synthesize 2000 IU. If your skin is light, 15 minutes are enough for you.

We should also remember that our body synthesizes only the amount of vitamin which is needed, that’s why it is impossible to suffer from vitamin toxicity from the sun.

Top Technologies in Adult Family Homes 

top-technologies
Healthcare and technologies are the industries that are developed quickly, and it’s not a surprise; the part of new technologies in the life of seniors is getting bigger and more impressive. And it doesn’t matter whether your aging parent lives alone or in an adult home, new technologies can become great helpers and improve mobility, safety and independence of your parents.

Here is the list of the most popular and trendy:

·    WI-FI

Our list starts with Wi-Fi because it is very important for seniors to feel comfy wherever they work. It’s much better for them to use their laptop on their favorite and cosy couch and feel safe

·    Wearable devices that are used for monitoring, recording and then transmitting health information to physicians.

Such devices are very important because doctors can control the health state of your loved ones, ask for a visit if needed or prescribe medicines.

·    Wander protection devices, GPS-based systems.

These gadgets help to protect seniors with Alzheimer disease from wondering, which is related to the disease. These devices save from being disoriented and lost.

·    Devices that help to control medication.

Such gadgets work perfectly for those seniors who have problems with memory. These devices help to control the medication process. Special reminders can be set for medication intake and monitoring of the whole process is provided.

·    Internet-Based Brain Games

There are technologies that help to maintain and improve cognitive skills of your loved ones. These technologies include brain games that help to stay focused.

·    Gadgets for caregivers such as video systems.

Video monitoring systems help to observe remotely and respond quickly. However, these systems are not frequently used because they intrude seniors’ privacy.

·    Technologies that keep seniors stay socially included and connected.

We always say that social isolation is a murderer for your loved ones. Physical and emotional health can be improved if your loved ones stay connected with others and with things they like.

Memory Loss: Important Tips to Improve Your Memory

tips-to-improve-memory
Can’t remember? Can’t find? Forget everything? Here are simple, but important steps that will help to sharpen your memory. Sometimes these steps help to realize that your or your aged parents need help for memory loss.

Be mentally active
Mentally stimulating activities are very important at any age, but for your parents especially. Work crossword puzzles. Ask your parents to read an article and then retell it. If they still drive, encourage them to take different routes. Learning to play a musical instrument or improving of the computer skills can help to sharpen their memory.
Socialize a lot
Social inclusion helps to fight depression and stress. Experts say that stress and depression can lead to memory loss. Use every opportunity to include your loved ones in different social activities, meetings, clubs, etc.
Stay Organized
Very often we forget because our house, our life and our mind is cluttered. It’s time to straighten things up. Give your elderly parents a special notebook, calendar or teach them how to use an electronic planner. Encourage them to write down everything they want to do, where they want to go, etc.
Good Sleep
Getting enough sleep should be a priority not only to elderly people, but for them it is twice important.
Eat Healthy
Healthy food is good not only for your physical body, but also for your brain and your spiritual well-being. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables should be found in every kitchen. It is also important to choose for your parents such products as fish, lean meat and poultry. Encourage them to drink enough water.
Stay Physically Active
Physical exercises increase blood flow not only in the brain, but in the whole body. Take your parents for a walk as often as possible, spend time outside, travel with them.
Remember that you need to consult a doctor if memory loss doesn’t allow your parents to complete usual daily tasks.