Memory loss is a concern for many older adults. Occasional forgetfulness is common and is not a sign of dementia. Mild forgetfulness includes taking longer than in years prior to learn new information. When seniors experience memory loss, they and caregivers can utilize these helpful tips.

Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Older adults may forget to pay a bill once in a while or misplace the car keys. Instances like these are expected as people age and are not a cause for concern. Serious problems with memory, on the other hand, impair daily functioning.

 

When severe memory loss occurs, everyday activities become increasingly difficult. The senior may no longer remember how to use a phone, drive, or find his way home. He may neglect self-care activities, like bathing and eating nutritiously, or get lost in familiar places.

Serious memory loss can lead to safety issues. The senior may forget to turn off the stove after cooking or leave the front door open after walking in. Especially when Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, such memory issues develop gradually and worsen over a period of time.

Whether the memory loss is normal or is caused by dementia, seniors can cope with the help of family or professional caregivers. Older adults who experience forgetfulness can utilize a variety of techniques to help them deal with the changes in memory and thinking skills.

 

Tip 1: Establish daily routines

Routines are beneficial to older adults who experience memory loss. By following an established pattern of activities, the aging person transfers the routines into their long-term memory. People with dementia are better able to access long-term memory than short-term memory.

Caregivers can schedule routines based on the senior’s preferences. Establish daily schedules for reading the news, going on walks, spending time with family and friends, eating meals, preparing for bed, and sleeping. Routines help seniors continue to perform these tasks into the later stages of dementia.

Tip 2: Make to-do lists

Seniors with mild memory loss are better able to cope when they make to-do lists and plan tasks. Memory tools, such as wall calendars and reminder notes, are helpful. The senior who jots down a doctor’s appointment on the kitchen calendar will see and remember it.

 

Tip 3: Keep items in the same place

Storing everyday items in the same place is another helpful tip for dealing with memory loss. Keep a wallet or purse, keys, eyeglasses, and phone in a familiar place so they are easy to find. Hang car keys next to the door, for example, or place eyeglasses on the nightstand.

 

Tip 4: Limit distractions

Seniors who attempt to remember multiple pieces of information at once are likely to forget them. Instead, focus on remembering one thing at a time in order to improve the chances of recalling it later. Try connecting it to a favorite song, saying, or idea to make recollection easier.

 

Tip 5: Stay socially engaged

Socializing stimulates memory and attention, while strengthening neural networks in the brain. Seniors who stay socially engaged give their brains a workout, and this mental activity rewards them over time. Researchers find that seniors with strong social ties experience less cognitive decline.

Aging adults can stay social in numerous ways. Volunteer for a meaningful cause with likeminded people. Stay in touch with friends or join the senior center. Homebound elderly individuals will find plenty of pleasant companionship from professional caregivers in the comfort of home.

 

Tip 6: Exercise the brain

Mental activities also stimulate the brain, thereby helping seniors prevent some memory loss. Activities that keep the mind alert include crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. Seniors are encouraged to read, play games, explore a new hobby, or learn to play a musical instrument.

Tip 7: Sleep well

It’s critical that seniors receive enough sleep each night. The recommended amount of quality sleep for adults is seven to eight hours. Sleep reorganizes memories and updates them. During a sleep cycle, memories are replayed, which prevents seniors from forgetting them and increases recall.

 

Tip 8: Eat nutritiously

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is beneficial for the aging brain. Older people are encouraged to nourish their brain health by consuming the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains each day. Protein sources should be low-fat, such as fish, skinless poultry and beans.

Tip 9: Practice self-care

Seniors who manage chronic health problems are better able to cope with memory loss. Taking care of medical issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, hearing loss, and depression, translates into better memory. Review medications with a doctor, as some drugs interfere with memory.

 

Assisting Hands Memory and Dementia Care

Memory loss can emerge in later years, but living a healthy lifestyle and learning coping techniques can help seniors manage. Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care are invaluable for ensuring seniors experience a high quality of life even when memory loss develops.

We provide compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care in the familiarity and security of the senior’s home. Our home care services meet the daily care needs of older adults diagnosed with any stage of dementia. Memory caregivers keep seniors safe and comfortable at all times.

Our dementia caregivers are trained to identify dementia symptoms and manage them. When dementia patients wander, we gently lead them back to the safety of home. Agitation in seniors with dementia is effectively managed with distractions, and incontinence is handled discreetly and respectfully.

The memory care provided by Assisting Hands Home Care is comprehensive. Our non-medical home care includes a range of care services, like meal preparation, transportation to doctors’ offices, grocery shopping, medication reminders, light housekeeping, personal hygiene assistance, and pleasant companionship.

When your elderly loved one shows signs of memory loss and would feel safer with help at home, choose Assisting Hands Home Care. Our memory care gives seniors with memory loss a new lease on life. Call us at our Winter Garden, Florida, location and schedule a free in-home consult.