3 Tips for Preventing Memory Loss

Memory loss is something that scares people of all ages but especially those who are approaching the golden years of their lives. After all, forgetting something you could have sworn you just knew is annoying when you’re 30 years old, but when you’re 65, you start wondering if it could mean something else. Especially for those who have seen loved ones battling dementia in their later life, the idea that it could happen to them—being unable to do things like recognizing loved ones—is terrifying.

Even without progressing to full-blown dementia, however, the sort of memory loss that often comes with age can lead to problems in quality of life. In this article, we’ll look at three tips for preventing memory loss, including healthy living and cognitive activities for elderly people.

1. Creative Cognitive Activities for Elderly People

Even though the brain isn’t technically a muscle, it relies on a similar principle: the more you use it, the stronger it will be. That’s why, when looking at different types of cognitive activities for elderly people, one of the most important categories is activities that are creative—that is, they require the individual to come up with their own ideas.

Arts and crafts, which are offered at many senior living communities, are just some of the great ways to do this. For instance, consider learning to paint or learning woodwork. Not only will this demand some creative juice, keeping that part of the brain well and truly engaged, but it can help you feel accomplished. You can also make unique, handmade gifts for loved ones. (Who wouldn’t love to get a hand-knit blanket from Grandma?)

2. Problem-Solving Cognitive Activities

Back in 2006, there was an interesting study that looked at the brains of London taxi drivers vs. the brains of London bus drivers. The results were fascinating: the taxi drivers had more gray matter in their brains than the bus drivers. Since both drove vehicles every day, what could explain it? The researchers believed it was because while the bus drivers just drove pre-planned routes that rarely deviated, the taxi drivers had to both memorize the layout of the confusing, labyrinthine, winding streets of London and also decide optimal routes in an era pre-GPS.

Not only is that study very interesting, but it also hints at a way you can help bulk up your own brain: problem-solve. Puzzles, sudoku, Wordle, chess—these are all ways you can train your brain and prevent memory loss. 

3. Lead Healthy Lives

The mind and the body aren’t as separate as some of us might think. If you don’t take care of the latter, you might have problems with the former too. Paying attention to your health is a great way to fight off memory loss in your later years.

This means:

• Getting regular physical activity
• Trying to get eight hours of sleep as often as possible
• Eating healthily, not processed junk food
• Meeting your emotional needs with regular socialization

If you do these things, on top of creative and problem-solving cognitive activities for elderly people, as we mentioned before, you’re positioning yourself well to fight off memory loss in your later life.

All of the things we’ve mentioned are available for residents at Solterra Senior Living, a senior community well-positioned to help you navigate your golden years. Curious about Solterra? Contact us today.