IMPROVING MEMORY IN ELDERLY
Most people do not realise that they are in control of the strength of their memory but in fact this is the case. Elderly people can do much to improve their memory capacity according to the scientists studying this field. Here are the scientists suggestions for helping yourself to a clear sharp mind no matter how old you are.
Exercising body and brain
The easiest way to improve memory is by making simple lifestyle changes - including memory exercises, physical fitness, healthy eating and stress reduction. "We've known for years that diet and exercise can help people maintain their physical health, which is a key component of healthy aging," says Gary Small, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, " But maintaining mental health is just as important. Now we have evidence which suggests that people can preserve their memory by adding memory exercises and stress reduction to this routine."
* Memory Training - Brainteasers, crossword puzzles and memory exercises, which emphasized verbal skills.
* Physical Fitness - Brisk daily walks and stretching to be done daily to promote physical fitness, which has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease.
* Stress Reduction - Participants used stretching and relaxation exercises to manage stress.
The exciting thing about the research above is that these small lifestyle changes bring about changes in just 14 days. Once a person has started this process of improving their memory they can then add on some other ideas for gaining even more Mental Muscle.
Talking to the computer
Computerized brain exercises can improve memory too. Healthy, older who participated in a computer-based training program to improve the speed and accuracy of their processing showed twice the improvement in certain aspects of memory, compared to a control group. For the study, the participants age 65 or older worked on computer-based activities in their homes for an hour a day, five days a week for eight weeks. The tasks included repeating words or numbers after hearing them once. Just doing this simple task improved their memory, the speed at which they processed information and made a big difference in their everyday lives because they felt more in control of themselves.
Healthy Diet
Last but not least increasing your calories is a great way to improve the acuity of your mind. A study suggesting an increase in protein, carbohydrate and healthy fat in an older person’s diet makes a big difference. In fact for an at least one hour after eating the memory performance improves which is a strong argument for eating small meals more frequently. Five small meals per day which include a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fats, low-glycemic index carbohydrates (e.g., whole grains) and antioxidants is what works really well.