Memory loss indicates loss of cognitive function, something no one wants to contemplate if they can avoid it. But memory loss is very much real, especially as we age. For various reasons, forgetfulness and memory loss tend to strike nearly one half of the elderly population in the U.S.
While characteristic of old age, memory loss can also be intimidating and a cause for concern. Depending on its extent and cause, it may even put your elderly loved one in grave peril.
Providers of comprehensive homecare solutions in Beverly Hills have devised insightful strategies of helping the elderly combat and manage memory loss and retain some level of independence and ability to function.
To find out how to help your elderly loved one overcome memory issues and keep these issues under control, read on.
What causes memory loss in the elderly?
Memory loss in the elderly could be caused by a degenerative disease such as dementia or the Alzheimer’s disease but it can also be caused by a host of other factors:
- Emotional causes of memory loss may include stress, depression, anxiety or grief
- Memory loss can also be caused by prescription medication, drug interactions or excessive consumption of alcohol
- Certain medical treatments, including anesthesia and surgery, can lead to memory loss and delirium
- Memory loss is often linked with conditions other than dementia, including concussions, head injuries, hematomas, stroke, encephalitis and brain tumors, thyroid problems, kidney and liver issues, etc.
If you or, better yet, a medical specialist, are able to rule out all these factors yet notice that your elderly loved one’s cognitive abilities decline, this is likely the result of old age. The decline typically affects memory, abstract reasoning and processing speed. Despite being one of the essential cognitive functions, it is memory that is exceptionally vulnerable to aging.
Memory loss in the elderly can be further aggravated by fatigue and sleep deprivation, as well as age-related cognitive changes such as distractedness and general cognitive decline.
Is memory loss a symptom of depression?
It is not uncommon for the elderly to develop depression and anxiety, especially if they feel lonely and abandoned or suffer from loss-related grief. Memory loss could be a symptom of depression in the elderly. This and other symptoms of depression can predict a considerable decline in memory abilities.
How do you prevent memory loss as you age?
To preserve the ability to memorize things, improve your memory and slow down the natural age-related cognitive decline, the elderly should pursue lifelong learning. Individuals who engage in constant mental activity, whether as part of their job, hobby or the process of learning a new skill, are less at risk of rapid age-related memory loss. Mental exercise helps stimulate brain cells and establish and reinforce the communication between them, which in turn helps the brain retain sharp memory and acquire and consolidate new memories.
Another important consideration is whether your elderly loved one is taking constant and diligent care about their overall health. No memory-improving strategy will be effective if your elderly loved one is struggling with health conditions which are draining their energy, sapping their learning ability and impairing their cognitive skills. This is especially true of conditions that go unrecognized or untreated.
What helps memory loss in the elderly?
To help the elderly improve their memory and keep their age-related memory loss in check, encourage them to try the following methods of boosting brain function:
- Engage in regular physical activity and exercise
- Engage in mental exercise and mentally challenging activities
- Adopt a healthier, balanced diet
- Stay socially active
- Get plenty of sleep
- Experiment with various methods of relaxation and stress relief
- Quit unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking
- Use memory tricks, memory aids and reminders such as mnemonics
Seek help from in-demand homecare in Beverly Hills
If you are the only one taking care of an aging parent whose memory and ability to function independently keeps getting worse, you have a heavy burden to carry. But you do not have to be alone in this.
Whether your elderly loved one needs an occasional getaway to some place quiet in the vicinity of the Greystone Mansion for a break from the hustle and bustle of the urban community or help with normal daily tasks such as running errands, cooking a meal or even taking a bath, compassionate caregivers we can introduce you to can help.
Reach out to A Better Way in Home Care and get your life back while keeping your elderly loved one satisfied, safe and sound. We are in this together. Call now.
