How to Keep Your Brain Young
Did you know that memory loss is not necessarily inevitable as we age?! Interestingly that is so. There is a difference between memory loss and age-related forgetfulness. According to “Age-Related Memory Loss” from helpguide.org, forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, but it does not affect our normal day-to-day activities.
Helpguide.org suggests that forgetfulness is caused by several factors. The formation and retrieval of memories in our brain deteriorates with age. That is why we sometimes forget where we put our keys or forget why we walked into a room or forget where we put our glasses, forget someone’s name, etc. These are all examples of forgetfulness. I know we can all relate to these things!
As we age, people can experience a decreased blood flow to the brain which could impair your memory. Certain hormones and proteins that protect and repair brain cells that stimulate neural growth decline with age thus causing temporary forgetfulness.
Sometimes these memory lapses are frustrating and they may make us feel silly, but they aren’t really a cause for concern. The real problem is when the individual has memory loss that interferes with day-to-day life. When this occurs, it could be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s or some other disorder that could cause dementia.
Some symptoms that could indicate dementia are difficulty performing simple tasks, forgetting how to do things you always did, getting lost or disoriented, repeating phrases and stories in the same conversation, etc. There are others. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association website for more info.
The bottom line is that age-related memory loss can be prevented if you exercise your brain on a regular basis. Doing word or number puzzles, reading books and newspapers that challenge you, participating in social activities, playing games that involve strategy like chess or bridge, physical activity, plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, maybe take a course in something you are unfamiliar with, are all good ways to keep your brain functioning. According to helpguide.org, your brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age, so memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging.
For more information, go to helpguide.org, “Age-Related Memory Loss”. Helpguide.org is an ad-free non-profit resource for supporting better mental health and lifestyle choices for adults and children.
By Marie Giammarco
Marie Giammarco is a mid generation Boomer who came of age in suburban New York, 50 miles north of the city. A child whose mom and grandparents were Italian immigrants, her close knit family defined her growing up years. The product of an environment that revolved around food, health, and physical activity, she saw many elderly people age before their time because they lacked these things. She has a passion to help Boomers and Seniors to be active and live a longer, more healthy life.
Thank You Marie. This was informative.