Yesterday I rambled on about forgetting what day of the week it was \u2014 memory lapses can be frustrating, but most of the time they aren\u2019t cause for concern. When I was doing extensive research for yesterday\u2019s blog, it became clear that age-related memory changes are not the same thing as dementia.<\/p>\n
As you grow older, you experience physiological changes that can cause glitches in brain functions. It takes longer to learn and recall information. This slowing of your mental process is often thought of as memory loss<\/em> but in actuality, it just takes longer<\/em> to remember. We\u2019ve all misplaced items, forgotten a phone number or gone into a room and wondered what you went there for. But in most cases, the information will come to mind. If you don\u201dt<\/em> recall the information after a period of time that\u2019s a possible sign of dementia.<\/p>\n The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age, so memory loss isn\u2019t an inevitable result of aging. However, just like you have exercise to keep up muscle strength, you have to use your brain to keep it functioning at its best. The old saying \u201cuse it or lose it\u201d seems to apply here. Most \u201cexperts\u201d agree that we should all do mental exercises to make our brains work better. They agree that the more pleasurable the activity is to you, the more powerful its effect will be on your brain. Some examples of these types of \u201cexercises” are: Well so much for blogging about memory \u2014 on to bigger and better things next time\u2026 although I\u2019m a little concerned about my<\/em> memory. My dad suffered from short term memory loss \u2014 I hope it doesn\u2019t run in the family because my dad had it too\u2026.. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yesterday I rambled on about forgetting what day of the week it was \u2014 memory lapses can be frustrating, but most of the time they aren\u2019t cause for concern. When I was doing extensive research for yesterday\u2019s blog, it became … Continue reading
\nI read an article that listed the types of memory lapses that are considered a normal part of the aging process \u2014 not a sign of serious mental deterioration. Some of them are:
\nOccasionally forgetting where you left things (keys, glasses, etc.)
\nForgetting names of acquaintances or calling someone by the wrong name
\nOccasionally forgetting an appointment
\nWalking into a room and forgetting why you entered
\nBecoming easily distracted \u2014 having trouble remembering what you\u2019ve just read
\nNot quite being able to retrieve information you have \u201con the tip of your tongue\u201d<\/p>\n
\nPlay games you aren\u2019t already familiar with that involve strategy
\nGet in the habit of learning new things \u2014 take a course in an unfamiliar subject that interests you
\nImprove how well you do existing activities.
\nTake on a project that involves design and planning<\/p>\n
\n\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n