Age Related Memory Loss

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, normal aging leads to most of the following, which people usually start to notice from their 40s or 50s:

Becoming a little more forgetful

Taking a bit longer to remember things

Getting distracted more easily

Finding it harder to do several things at once.

Although this may be frustrating, for most people, it is a natural part of aging, and it is not a sign of dementia.

However, around 40% of people aged 65 and over do have some age-associated memory impairment. But of these, only 1% will progress to develop a form of dementia.

In some people, memory cognitive impairment (MCI) is caused by a hormonal imbalance or nutrient deficiency, so once this is resolved, the MCI can be reversed.

In others, it may be the first sign of dementia. People with MCI have mild memory and thinking problems but can usually take care of themselves and carry out normal daily activities.

 

Symptoms of MCI may include:

Forgetting about appointments or social events

Misplacing household items, such as car keys, clothing, or other objects

Raving greater difficulty finding the right words than peers of the same age

Having trouble remembering events, instructions, or conversations.

Although MCI may develop into dementia, for many the condition does not progress further.

However, if the symptoms persist, or start to impact daily functioning, this may mean that the person is developing dementia. In this case, they must seek medical help and diagnosis.

 Ways to Improve Memory

A Healthy Diet and Lifestyle

Keeping physically healthy can help protect against memory loss and dementia. Experts recommends regular aerobic exercise, and a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

In addition, getting the right amount of sleep, socializing, minimizing stress, and keeping health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes under control will help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

A new study has also highlighted the importance of vitamin D in preserving cognitive function. In this study of postmortem brains, the brains of people with higher cognitive function before death contained higher levels of vitamin D.

The researchers found that although the higher levels of vitamin D were associated with up to 33% lower odds of dementia symptoms, they were not associated with any decrease in post-mortem dementia neuropathology.

Exercise the Brain

Although keeping active and engaged as you age may not prevent dementia, mentally stimulating activities, such as volunteering, reading, playing games, or learning new skills could help lower the risk.

Doing word games, such as crosswords, has long been advocated in the popular press as a means of keeping yourself sharp, but recent studies confirm this type of brain exercise.

The Bottom Line

As we age, many of us will find we experience more frequent memory lapses, but unless these start to interfere with daily functioning, they are unlikely to be a sign of impending dementia.

To minimize the occurrence of memory issues, the advice is to keep active, eat well, look after your health, and stay engaged in lots of social and stimulating activities. And remember, like any part of the body, the brain will function better if it is exercised.

So keep up the daily word puzzle, and for even greater benefit tackle it with a friend. It could well be doing you more good than you realize.