HOW TO COUNTER SENIOR MEMORY LOSS
To prevent senior memory loss, we should constantly seek activities that keep the brain active. Like the muscles of the body, the brain requires exercise to stay in good shape and function best. Our brains are not designed to stay idle. Mental health is very important as we grow old because it determines the degree of independence of an individual. With more exercise, the brain improves on its ability to process information. There is a need to challenge the brain constantly to enhance its ability. Here are mental exercises and practices that assist seniors in long and short term memory.
Playing Puzzles and Chess
Word puzzles keep seniors entertained, occupied and best of all enhancing their brain activity. Trying to figure out answers stretches the brain, enhancing its cognitive ability.
Connection puzzles also stimulate the brain’s ability to make connections. The game is played by trying to figure out which word is connected to a given pair of words.
Chess entails planning ahead, strategizing, and critical thinking. You don’t need to be a genius to play chess. Playing this game boosts the health of the brain. It increases the ability of the individual to concentrate increasing their focus levels.
Reading and narrating the stories
Reading is a very immersive activity that enhances the cognitive ability of seniors. Research indicates that aging reduces one’s ability to pay attention and concentrate. Reading and narrating the stories enhances the ability to remember. It also increases the person’s ability to filter distractions which result in senior memory loss. Reading in itself increases the vocabulary level of the reader, enhancing their social skills.
Engaging in cognitive activities such as reading will help in reducing memory loss in old age.
Engaging in physical exercise activities
Seniors should stay as active as possible. Vigorous aerobics, dancing, taking walks and even volunteering will give physical exercise to the body. Exercising boosts the flow of blood to the brain. A healthier body translates to a healthier brain, because it stimulates the regenerative processes in the body. In this case, it provides for the supply of healthier brain cells.
Exercising will build on your strength, give more energy, increase balance, prevent diseases and most significantly reduce senior memory loss.
Practice meditation
Meditation helps in improving the working memory. The working memory refers to the place where new information is stored before it goes to the long term memory. When new information gets into your brain, you hold on to it until it is no longer useful then you let go of it.
A working memory makes life much easier as it enables us to go about daily life. It improves on our ability to concentrate,
Meditation can take the form of sitting comfortably in a relaxed environment and taking not of what happening around noting thoughts and feelings that demand your attention or that which just float through your awareness like clouds in the sky.
Maintaining a healthy diet
Seniors should have a well balanced diet. There are certain food components and vitamins that are known to boost the brain functioning. Foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid, vitamin rich fruits and dark green leafy vegetables (for essential magnesium and B vitamins) are highly recommended. Sugars and simple carbohydrates put on stress by creating confusion in the hormonal balance. It is advisable to avoid processed foods.
Check out our article on the best sports to keep seniors active.
