A Place for Mom's Family

The Active Brain: Strategies for Preventing Memory Loss

"Will I forget my family members and loved ones as I grow older?"

"Is there a way to stop the memory loss-forgetting names or why I went to the grocery store-that I've begun to experience?"

"Am I destined to lose memory as I age?"

These questions strike at the heart of the most terrifying aspect of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia-that memory loss affects the core of personal identity. But there's good news: Not everyone susceptible to dementia eventually succumbs to it. Though memory loss is often associated with older age, scientists have discovered that memory doesn't necessarily diminish with time. Recent medical research has shown that preventing memory loss can happen with the right combination of physical and mental activity, and in some cases cognitive decline (or memory loss) can be delayed or even prevented.

This article continues at Preventing Memory Loss.

My 93 year old grandmother does crossword puzzles every day, and she is sharp as a tack.

The Alzheimer's Association says mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells and the connections between them, and may even create new nerve cells. Go to their site for brain challenging puzzles. You can even sign up to have a new puzzle emailed to you daily! http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp

Use it or loose it.  Thanks,

hi,

I have discovered first hand how memory activities are beneficial to those who have memory loss. While working with residents with my MemoryJogging Puzzles and Memory Exercise Cards many things have happened.

They love working with the real life illustrations by Norman Rockwell and start working together. They help each other and talk to each other about the cards and puzzles and the activities stimulate their memories. There is laughter, smiles and they experience success. 

I received this quote from Dr. Mitchell Slutzky, my cards were not available at this time, but they have the same images and I feel the people react the same way.

"Your puzzles do indeed show some promise, due to the fact that they engage persons with their emotional and recognition memory, but then rely upon "here and now" problem-solving skills." Mitchell Slutzky, Ph.D., Clinical Geropsychologist, NY

For more valuable information: http://www.memoryjoggingpuzzles.com

karen

I believe in prevention ...

Mult, calcium, probotic and take a Omega-3 fatty acids which is concentrated in the brain and are associated with cognitive function.

I found your article quite intriging.  My Mom was a very healthy person in spring, 2006.  By September, she had become almost a complete vegetable.  She was tired all the time, memory was horrible & she couldn't do anything.  Her primary dr at that time was in his late 80's & we all had our doubts about him.  But, because she & my Dad had been with him for many years, they are of the old generation "loyal to the end" & they didn't want to leave him.  He was advising us to take her to a psychologist because he felt she was psychotic.  I took advantage & started her with a new doctor.  We discovered that somehow she had been given an incorrect dosage of synthroid for her thyroid problem.  She was on .05 & she received .100.  Since then, she has never been the same.  Her thyroid would fluctuate & it took almost 3 years to finally stabilize back to the .05.  But, her memory has not been the same since.  She is able to function with respect to pretty much most of the day-to-day duties, but there are many little habit that have developed that are so not her.  How does one go about finding out how much medication is in the system.  I did  take her to the dr yesterday because she had been started on a new medicinal regiment & she did not respond well.  He told us that she was dehydrated and that was probably the reason she had reacted the way she did to the medication.  He said the medication had accumulated in her system.  I do believe that she was dehydrated because we have a very difficult time getting her to take fluids.  As a matter of fact, she was also constipated.  Dr immediately put her on an iv & this morning she was super energetic.

 Anyway, anything you can share that would assist in being more sensitive to medication overdoses would be greatly appreciated.