Improving MemoryImproving Memory

Presented by Helping Hand Presented by Helping Hand HomecareHomecare

Normal Cognitive AgingNormal Cognitive Aging

There are two separate pathways in There are two separate pathways in the brain that cognitive abilities the brain that cognitive abilities followfollow

Crystallized or long term memory Crystallized or long term memory decline slowly in the very elderlydecline slowly in the very elderly

Fluid or short term memory declines Fluid or short term memory declines slowly after the age of 20slowly after the age of 20

Clinical Evaluation of loss of Clinical Evaluation of loss of Cognitive FunctionCognitive Function

Determined by the previous level of Determined by the previous level of cognitive functioncognitive function

Psychometric testing and interview Psychometric testing and interview conducted by a neurologistconducted by a neurologist

Memory complaints alone are not a Memory complaints alone are not a good indicator of cognitive good indicator of cognitive impairmentimpairment

Mild Cognitive ImpairmentMild Cognitive Impairment

Definition: the stage between Definition: the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging normal forgetfulness due to aging and the development of dementiaand the development of dementia

Does not interfere with day to day Does not interfere with day to day activitiesactivities

Aware of forgetfulnessAware of forgetfulness Not everyone with MCI will develop Not everyone with MCI will develop

dementiadementia

Symptoms of MCISymptoms of MCI

Difficulty with multi – taskingDifficulty with multi – tasking Difficulty solving problemsDifficulty solving problems Taking longer to perform more than Taking longer to perform more than

one taskone task

DementiaDementia

Definition: Loss of mental ability Definition: Loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, normal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not present since birth, and not associated with a loss of alteration of associated with a loss of alteration of consciousnessconsciousness

Symptoms of DementiaSymptoms of Dementia

Language problemsLanguage problems Misplacing itemsMisplacing items Getting lost on familiar routesGetting lost on familiar routes Personality changesPersonality changes Loss of social skillsLoss of social skills Loss of interest in social activitiesLoss of interest in social activities Flat moodFlat mood Difficulty performing tasksDifficulty performing tasks

Prevention of MCI and DementiaPrevention of MCI and Dementia

Dietary ChangesDietary Changes

Increase Docosahexaenoic acid Increase Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels/omega 3 found in cold (DHA) levels/omega 3 found in cold water fishwater fish

Increase folate acid (folic acid or Increase folate acid (folic acid or vitamin B – 12) found in fortified vitamin B – 12) found in fortified breads or cereals, leafy green breads or cereals, leafy green vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, organic meats, orange juice and organic meats, orange juice and tomato juicetomato juice

Relieving stressRelieving stress

Techniques that Promote Techniques that Promote RelaxationRelaxation

Deep breathingDeep breathing Progressive muscle relaxationProgressive muscle relaxation Mindfulness meditationMindfulness meditation Guided imageryGuided imagery Massage therapyMassage therapy Yoga or Tai - chiYoga or Tai - chi

Mental Fitness exercisesMental Fitness exercises

Sight perceptionSight perception VisospatialVisospatial StructuralizationStructuralization LogicLogic VerbalVerbal

Being ProactiveBeing Proactive

Remember that a failing memory and Remember that a failing memory and sluggish thinking are not inevitable sluggish thinking are not inevitable cohorts of aging. You have the cohorts of aging. You have the ability to maximize your cognitive ability to maximize your cognitive skills and enhance your older yearsskills and enhance your older years