Introduction:
Memory loss goes hand in hand with old age. We tend to forget a few small things, like where we keep the house or car keys and spend lots of time searching for things. It is okay to forget small things occasionally, but when it starts to interfere with daily activities and is dangerous for the person, then they must discuss it with their healthcare provider. There are many ways that can help to improve their situation. These steps have to be followed on a day-to-day basis to see an improvement in their memory.
What Are the Symptoms of Memory Loss?
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Asking the same questions repeatedly.
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Taking longer to complete routine activities like cooking and cleaning.
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Mixing up words and forgetting simple words while talking.
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Keeping things in the wrong places, like placing house keys in the fridge.
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Forgetting the route while walking or driving around the same area.
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Having mood swings for no reason.
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The ability to make arguments and judgments decreases.
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Unable to recall or describe incidents from the past.
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Forgetting appointments.
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Difficulty remembering the names of the people they have met recently.
Why Does Memory Loss Happen in Old Age?
The region of the brain that is involved in the formation and retrieval of information is called the hippocampus, which deteriorates as we age. As age advances, there is a decline in levels of hormones and proteins that protect and repair brain cells. Older people often have reduced blood flow to the brain, which can impair cognitive skills and cause memory loss. Some underlying medical conditions like depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease can also cause memory loss in old age. Certain medications prescribed for other reasons can cause memory loss as a side effect. In old age, gray matter declines to cause a negative impact on cognition and memory.
How to Improve Memory in Old Age?
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Make physical activity part of their lifestyle. Involving in any sort of physical activity daily can help improve blood circulation to the body and brain, enhance their mood, and relieve stress. Some examples are joining yoga, aerobics, and Zumba classes, or they can even enroll in a laughter club.
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Involve in activities like chess, sudoku, crossword, and scrabble that challenge the mind to think. These activities help exercise our brains. It will improve memory, increase concentration, and help in retaining information better.
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Staying organized can help with their memory problems. Have a specific place for every item in the house; this way, they automatically place those things there. Write down important appointments and things to remember in a diary, write and stick notes on the fridge for things to do for the day, and keep their medicines next to the bed so it is easy for them to access them and they will not forget it.
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Have a balanced healthy eating lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet that covers all nutrients required by our body. Include foods rich in omega-3, fatty acids, folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin D3, and vitamin C. Eat proteins, healthy fats, unrefined whole grains, and leafy vegetables. Drink plenty of water. Staying fit and healthy will help improve memory problems. Consume less sugar in their diet.
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Have a sound and peaceful sleep. Stay relaxed while going to bed. Have eight to nine hours of sleep. This will help to enhance their memory.
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Be more social. Meet with friends and family regularly. Join a support group if they are going through something. This will keep them happy and will keep stress away. It will also keep mental health problems away.
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Make time and practice meditation daily. This will help improve their memory and concentration. Meditation has been proven to improve short-term memory loss in older people.
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Obesity can be a risk factor for cognitive decline and poorer memory, so keep weight under control.
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Avoid alcohol consumption, as too much alcohol consumption, can have negative effects on their health and memory. Alcohol consumption affects the brain, and binge drinking can affect the hippocampus region of the brain, causing memory problems.
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Learn something new. Memory strengthening is just like body strengthening. Use the mind to memorize things intentionally in order to strengthen them. This will also give them an opportunity to start a new activity. They can learn anything of their own interest, like pottery making, painting, learning a new instrument, and learning a new language.
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Practice repeating and retrieving any new information that they may receive.
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Dividing the information into pieces can help to remember information easily. For example, dividing a ten-digit phone number into three parts can help in remembering it better.
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Rely on other senses like color, taste, and smell to retain a piece of information.
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Do not be in the habit of using google without thinking or trying to remember information.
What Are the Normally Expected Memory Problems?
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Simple forgetfulness, like missing house keys, is part of normal memory problems associated with age.
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Change in usage of words in a language and change in the pronunciation of words.
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Vocabulary remains unchanged with aging but the speed of processing information decreases.
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The speed of execution of a new task and sometimes the old tasks also change.
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Slowing down reaction time to something.
What Memory Problems Are Not a Part of the Normal Aging Process?
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Is unable to perform daily tasks like driving, taking pills, dressing up, etc.
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Does not have an awareness of their memory loss.
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Poor judgment of things.
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Face difficulty in understanding written or verbal information.
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Requires a full-time healthcare worker to take care of and help with daily activities.
Conclusion
As we age, simple small changes occur in a person’s memory naturally as a part of the aging process. Most of the time, these changes go unnoticed as they are very subtle and do not interfere with the patient’s day-to-day activities. But when memory changes are noticeable to others, it is better to get it checked by a professional. Making lifestyle changes is crucial in improving memory as old age approaches.
