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Memory loss is
not a normal or
natural
process of aging.
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Jessica noticed feeling fuzzy in
her mind more and more after she reached her 70’s. She joked about being muddle-minded and
excused herself laughing about having a ‘senior moment’ when she couldn’t remember
an important fact. Jessica had always
prided herself on being sharp and so wasn’t about to let age steal her quick
wits. So she decided to get proactive
about her brain and began energetically exercising her mind. She was amazed by the results.
The brain is an organ and like
all organs in the human body it experiences some natural changes as we age, yet
loss of memory does not have to be one of them.
Mental decline due to aging is preventable and even reversible with the
right attitude and some dedication to exercising the mind.
According to Dr. Dharma Signh Khalsa, President and Medical Director
of the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, seniors and the
elderly can avoid mental aging by keeping the brain active. By proactively engaging the mind in “vigorous
mental exercise” he calls brain aerobics, Dr. Khalsa states that mind and
memory can be improved in those starting to show signs of mental
deterioration. The theory that it is
normal and inevitable for the elderly to experience memory loss is no longer
believed to be true.
Let Einstein be your role model
Albert Einstein has long been considered the most brilliant man in
history, yet he had very normal brain
cells. After his death, a pathologist
examined Einstein’s brain tissue and discovered that the cells, or neurons,
were no different from that of an average person. What was surprising was that the supporting
structure around Einstein’s brain cells was far more developed than
average. These supporting structures,
called glial cells, are the connections or pathways between brain cells
allowing them to communicate effectively.
Einstein’s glial cells were numerous and well developed which could
account for his remarkable intellectual ability.
Brain challenge
It is a proven fact that certain brain challenging activities will improve
existing glial cells as well as actually create new ones. Studies show that mental exercise regenerates brain
cells, causing them to grow larger and stronger and become more resistant to
the effects of aging. Cognitive exercise
also increases the number of connections in the brain which unlocks, activates
and sustains brain power no matter what our age, but to be effective the mental
activity must meet three criteria:
1.
It must engage your attention
2.
It must break up a routine activity in an
unexpected way
3.
It must involve two or more of the senses.
How to exercise the brain
Just as physical exercise is essential to healthy longevity; mental
exercise is the key to fighting loss of cognitive ability and memory, and a combination
of the two is the best bet to remaining mentally agile as we age. Recent studies show that greatest results are
found with a combination of physical and mental exercise. A 30 minute exercise
routine, such as brisk walking, followed by stretching and then a 15-20 minute
mental exercise, like a crossword puzzle, increases the efficiency and power of
the brain. Jolting the brain out of its normal routines is also a brilliant way
to improve cognitive agility. Learning a
new language or reading a book for 10 minutes upside down stimulates the brain
in amazing ways.
It is pretty easy
Like all things we should do, getting into the habit of actually doing them is the hardest part. Mental exercises or activities are easy and can be fun. Since the combination of physical and mental exercise gets the best results, it is a good idea to add a few cognitive activities to the end of a morning exercise routine. Follow a yoga session with 20 minutes working working on a cross word puzzle or take a brisk walk with a friend and discuss current events. Playing electronic games such as Sudoku or word finding games on your phone or tablet is great way to rest after a session lifting hand weights or swim laps followed by working on a jigsaw puzzle.
It has often said you can’t teach old dog new tricks, but learning new
things, especially for the aging, will improve brain functions, regenerate lost
cognitive abilities and improve short term memory. So avoid watching TV and instead pick up a
good book, write a poem, play a word game, get going with new a hobby or learn
a new language. Proactively pursuing mental activity will improve connections
in the brain, stimulate the mind and help improve memory.
Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health
Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and
independent at home. HomeAid is sister
company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual,
mental and health needs of their Residents since 1999. Together the two family owned companies
provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.
Sources:
“The Power of
Brain Aerobics: Maximize your Memory” brochure. Alzheimer’s Research &
Prevention Foundation.
