Memory exercises can help the elderly
August 2nd 2009 22:31
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From: Examiner.com
No matter what little nuances keep emerging in the 21st century to make everyday lives easier nothing can ever replace the simple things. People tend to take things for granted, moments for granted, and it's important to not let the "little things" slip by unappreciated. It sounds like a cliche but it's true.
While most people spend inordinate amounts of time surfing online, simple events like reading seem to be falling to the wayside. While some can afford to read only when they feel they need to it is especially important for older folks to keep those brainwaves hitting the proverbial shores. As with anything in life, you either use it or lose it.
In relation to elderly patients who might be experiencing memory loss problems it's always important to get an exam to make sure that nothing serious is amiss. However, for simple memory problems associated with aging it helps to keep an active brain function whenever possible. Some of the simplest things can help keep the memory sharp and the communicative juices flowing.
Exercising the brain can be as easy as doing a crossword puzzle in the back of a magazine or newspaper. These little puzzles do wonders in strengthening the processing part of the brain as well as stimulating the memory with things otherwise left to history. Taking time out to read a book also helps to keep the mind from becoming stagnant. If the person is so inclined he or she can combine both the physical and mental exercising by simply walking the Chicagoland neighborhoods and making mental notes of street signs and businesses that might otherwise be overlooked. An otherwise waning attention span might become stronger with simple neighborhood surroundings.
The use of a more modern reading medium can help for the more active senior. The audio books, or books on tape, are a great way to take a long walk outdoors or on the indoor track and help keep the brain active and still ingest a good book. Music is also a chief motivator; hearing an old song from years ago can help stimulate the memory to a time otherwise stored away in the proverbial memory bank. The use of audio stimuli always helps with the exercising process and whatever it takes to keep the motivation going is an absolute plus.
Getting someone in your care to stay mentally active is just as taxing as the physical aspect, if not more. There's always a fear of memory loss that it might be a permanent loss, scaring a person into thinking he or she will lose precious memories of life. This is certainly not always the case. Once the patient realizes that little brain exercises, along with a good diet and minimal stress, can help save those moments from the past they will be there for a lifetime.
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