Q: What are some ways I can cope with my memory slowing down as I age?
A: It is normal to experience some memory related issues as we age. Recalling words or names may take longer, and you may misplace things from time to time. This is different than dementia, where memory related problems are impairing your daily life. It is always important to speak with your doctor and be sure to have a proper assessment of your memory concerns.
Assuming you have been assessed and are having normal age-related memory issues there are many tips you can implement to help yourself in your daily life. The key is to slow down, pay attention and use tools to help yourself.
Keep information written down to refer to as needed. Keep a day planner for appointments and reminders of tasks you need to complete. Consider using your phone to set alarms to remind you to do recurring things. For example, you have an alarm set for every day at 9am to remind you to take your morning medications.
Consider getting a whiteboard to keep in your kitchen (or any prominent place) where you keep a running to-do list. You can just erase the task once it is completed. Or use the notes app on your phone for a checklist.
I use a notes app on my phone to keep a log of items that I need to buy at the grocery store. That way whenever I get a chance to shop, I already have my list. I only developed this system after forgetting to replenish my supply of flour for two weeks! It was not top of my mind when I would go shopping but it was certainly frustrating when I would decide to bake something and had no flour.
Get organized in your home to prevent misplacing things. Have a designated place to put your wallet, keys and glasses.
Learning something new is beneficial for your brain. If you do crossword puzzles every day, it becomes routine. Try changing it up and doing sudoku or another type of brain stimulating game. By learning a new way to do things it helps to create new neuropathways.
Stay social. Spend time with friends or family having conversations. Talking with someone forces our brain to work in many ways. We have to be engaged, think about what the other person is saying and formulate a response. It does so much more for our brain pathways than watching TV or another passive activity.
Staying social and involved also helps us to feel purposeful and improves our mood. When people feel sad or depressed their memory is often affected. Stress and fatigue can also impair short term memory. Caring for our physical and mental health is an important part of caring for our brain and our memory.
There are some local organizations that offer free basic memory screening programs. The Camarillo Health Care District, as well as Senior Concerns, offer these monthly. These screenings do not provide a diagnosis, but they do help you understand if further testing is needed. You can reach the Camarillo Healthcare District to learn more at 805-388-1952 and you can reach Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189.
At every age we can do things to help improve our brain functioning and increase our memory skills. Think about a few ways that you do something positive for your brain and make a plan to implement them.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
