Memory Loss Prevention: 5 Tips from a Certified Senior Advisor

Memory care is an important topic among older populations, but one of the biggest concerns with memory care is something that affects people of all ages—talking about it. Memory loss can be an uncomfortable topic for many families, leading them to put off having a conversation about it until it’s too late.

It's a common misconception that memory loss is an inevitable part of getting older. While it’s no secret that as the body ages, so does the brain. Age is one of many contributing factors towards memory loss. Most people will enjoy sharp cognition throughout their lives. However, communication can help families make sure they’re prepared for when they might have to face this reality. 

Having the conversation early also ensures you can respect your family members’ choices for care and interventions. It’s also important to know as much as possible about what causes memory loss so you can prevent it as early as possible.

Coping with Memory Loss

For many older adults, memory loss won’t become a reality. However, when that happens to you or your loved one, it’s helpful to know what to do next. The one commonality among those who suffer from memory loss is that there is no commonality. It can happen to people from all walks of life, with no rhyme or reason for what causes memory loss.

It's also important for family members to know what someone suffering from memory loss is going through. When that happens, the simplest things in life become the most pressing. For someone going through this, being treated with dignity and having access to good quality of care are both essential.

How to Prevent Memory Loss

Although there are no guarantees, these tips to avoid age-related memory loss will give you and your loved ones a game plan. With these steps, you can help preserve memory and lower your chances of having significant memory loss before it becomes an issue.

• Stay active socially—Studies show that those all-too-important human connections are key to keeping your mind active, which also helps keep it sharp.
• Don’t overwork your brain—Try to minimize your brain’s stress and preserve memory. Designate a spot for your important items, and keep a calendar/notebook handy for necessary info.

• Keep your brain active—Many activities act as memory retention exercises because they stimulate your brain. Playing an instrument, crossword puzzles, and reading are great ways to keep your mind in great shape.
• Engage in physical activity—Cardiovascular and strength-building exercises boost blood flow. Since the brain requires a high level of blood, the more you can improve circulation, the better your mind will be for it.
• Remain on the path of wellness—Keeping your body as healthy as possible on a consistent basis is key to improved mental and physical health at any age.

Overall, staying active and healthy is key to reducing your risks of memory loss as you get older. While these memory preserving exercises can help, if family decides that memory care is necessary, it’s important to find a center that individualizes care and prioritizes helping clients stay active and healthy. Having a memory care unit that fully understands the cognitive loss from the perspective of the customer is essential.

At Walker Methodist, our memory care unit, Kaleidoscope, has a mission to enhance and enrich the lives of residents and families across each community. Everything from the high quality of the food they eat to the personalized fitness programs they enjoy, each day is geared toward improving their care quality. The goal is to give clients the support necessary to remain independent while also having care available whenever they need it.

Making an impact on the lives of older adults is what the Walker Methodist memory care unit feels most passionate about.