Memory Care: Treating memory issues.

Memory loss has become an elevated threat in the elderly population with a significant amount of the population being affected. Memory loss that proves to be a challenge during daily life may be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These diseases will cause gradual decline in cognitive functions such as in memory, thinking and reasoning and will have an impact on the quality of life in elders. Therefore it is important to identify ways that can be used to properly treat the affected personnel in order to provide better care and to improve their health and wellbeing.

Many modern senior living programs memory care lifestyle options for residents.

Each individual is different. This is an important factor when treating memory loss since what might work for one person may not work well for another. For example, an individual who is diagnosed with mild and occasional memory defects differs from an individual who has a severe case of memory loss. Therefore, understanding why a person is facing memory loss is extremely important when providing proper treatment. A number of research and scientific studies conducted has identified several lifestyle practices that are capable of maintaining proper cognitive abilities. These practices include education, engaging in activities that stimulate the brain and pursuing leisure activities. In addition to these lifestyle practices, engaging in physical activities, having a proper diet and engaging in social activities have also been identified as methods that can be used to stop the decline of proper cognitive function. According to Kramer, memory training interventions such as memory training classes have shown that, similar to young adults, the elderly population too can enhance cognitive performance. This includes cognitive aspects such as recognition, recall, perceptual discrimination and visual search. When considering a typical memory training intervention, a number of mental aspects are focused on, such as concentration, attention, self-monitoring in addition to mnemonic methods.

Social activity fortifies cognitive functionality.

Social activity is also identified as means of fortifying cognitive functionality and acting against memory loss. In a randomized clinical trial, effects of social involvement was tested as a cognitive protective intervention. Elders participated in 15 hours a week for a year as supportive interactive roles with students in elementary schools. During this study, elders showed significant improvements not only in cognitive function but also in physical activity and strength.

Short and intermediate memory in elders were improved in a study based on nutrition and cognitive aging, suggesting proper nutrition can have a notable effect on memory retention during aging. It is important to note that studies have identified cognitive enhancement drugs to provide only a short term improvement and may result in significant side effects. Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital found that the short term benefit that these drugs provide will be lost after a year and a half with side effects such as nausea and vomiting obscuring the benefits.

Tour Our Community in Los Angeles

If you’re searching for a memory care in Los Angeles for a family member and are exploring your options, please schedule a tour at Garden of Palms to see if our community is the right fit for your family. You can also browse our events calendar.

References

Williams, K., & Kemper, S. (2010). Exploring Interventions to Reduce Cognitive Decline in Aging. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 48(5), 42–51. http://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20100331-03

Kramer AF, Bherer L, Colcombe SJ, Dong W, Greenough WT. Environmental Influences on Cognitive and Brain Plasticity During Aging. Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2004;59A(9):940–957.

Kramer AF, Colcombe SJ, McAuley E, Scalf PE, Erickson KI. Fitness, aging and neurocognitive function. Neurobiology of Aging. 2005;26(Suppl1):S124–S127

Wouter-Wesseling W, Wagenaar LW, Rozendaal M, Deijen JB, de Groot LC, Bindels JG, et al. Effect of an enriched drink on cognitive function in frail elderly persons. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. 2005;60A(2):265–279