Most people experience memory loss to some degree as they age. Yet there are factors that influence how well seniors can recall information as they get older. These seven things can help older adults retain both short-term and long-term memory.
1. Getting Enough Sleep
Fatigue bogs down the thought processes. After the age of 65, your senior loved one needs to aim for around seven to nine hours of sleep a day. Most of this sleep should occur at night, but your loved one may also feel more alert after a brief daytime nap.
2. Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet
The brain needs proper blood flow to function well, and a heart-healthy diet helps the brain get the oxygen it needs to think. Try to lower the amount of fat your loved one eats each day, and reduce his or her salt intake. Your loved one’s primary sources of food should be lean meats, healthy fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
A professional caregiver can be a terrific source of support for a senior who needs a hand with preparing nutritious meals. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. Increasing Physical Activity
Moving more during the day also stimulates blood flow to the brain. Encourage your loved one to aim for around 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise, and remember that blood flow can be increased just by moving around more at home. If your loved one has been sitting for more than an hour, he or she should get up and walk around the house for a few minutes and do some light stretches to gently get the blood flowing through his or her body.
4. Staying Socially Engaged
Seniors need to use their memory to keep it strong. Engaging in social activities requires using recall skills to remember people’s names and the content of previous conversations. Your loved one may also find talking to other people exposes him or her to new ideas and stories that keep the neurons in his or her brain stimulated.
For families living in Anchorage, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
5. Playing Mentally Stimulating Games
Playing brain games is helpful for memory loss. However, there are other types of games that can also keep the mind functioning efficiently. For example, you can play a strategy game with your loved one that challenges him or her to think about different scenarios to determine the next logical move. Interactive video games can also boost memory by getting the body moving while also using thinking skills.
6. Practicing Memorization Techniques
There are many memorization strategies that can strengthen memory. For example, your loved one can try to create a visual image of each item on his or her grocery list. Your loved one may still need the list, but practicing to see how many things he or she can remember builds short-term memory.
7. Managing Chronic Health Conditions
Certain health issues put seniors at higher risk for memory loss. For instance, diabetes can impact blood circulation to the brain. Heart disease is another health condition that affects thinking. Make sure to stay on top of any chronic health issues your loved one has by ensuring he or she takes medication properly and follows the rest of his or her treatment plan.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional at-home care. Anchorage families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Home Care Assistance today at (907) 770-0907 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.