Brain Exercises

Have you ever forgotten where you left the car keys or halfway through a conversation lost your train of thought?  We often laugh about these “senior moments” but for many of us it is not funny.  The nagging concern over the possible development of Alzheimer’s Disease or any of the other dementias may have us frightened.  Is this happening to me?  Is this happening to my spouse?  What will we do?  Especially if we have seen the debilitation and despair of these diseases, the prospect is terrifying.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 13% of those over the age of 65, or 1 in 8 people have Alzheimer’s Disease.  New studies are expressing concern that 10 million baby boomers will suffer some form of dementia.

The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute at the University of South Florida has listed several warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease:

• Recent memory loss affects your daily activities or job skills.
• Difficulty in performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation to time and place
• Poor or decreased judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Changes in moods or behaviors
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative

If you or a loved one is exhibiting any of these symptoms it is very important to be further evaluated by your physician.  There are other causes that could also exhibit these symptoms.

Researchers of brain health and the dementias reassure the boomers that those “senior moments” of instantaneous memory loss is just temporary forgetfulness usually caused by stress, hormonal changes or mood fluctuations.  In general, losing the car keys is not a precursor to dementia; forgetting what the keys are for may be.   

These memory lapses are a sudden reminder that our brains need exercise just as our bodies do to stay healthy as it ages.  We cannot control genetics or aging but we can improve our brain function and possibly delay the onset of dementia by:

• Exercise.  Increasing the blood flow to the brain is the most important factor in keeping it healthy.  The American Geriatrics Society recommends exercising for at least 30 minutes, three times a week.  You could try walking, gardening, swimming, cycling or dancing if a more strenuous or formal form of exercise is not an option.
• Stimulate your mind.  Read a book, newspaper, subscribe to a word-of the-day or “this day in history” site to challenge your brain to learn something new.  Word search and crossword puzzles as well as video games improve your visual and decision making skills. Building a model or beginning a new craft will also keep your mind fresh.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.  The same cholesterol that clogs your heart’s blood vessels will clog your brain’s vessels.  Eat more fruits, vegetables, and protein foods and limit your fat intake.  Adding B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (available everywhere) to your daily regime may help too. Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of fluids each day.  Enjoy your coffee drink as coffee has been now proven to increase brain activity, short term memory and concentration.
• Get enough sleep and reduce stress in your life.  Lack of sleep and high chronic levels of stress will impair memory, learning, concentration and increase your risk of accidents and illness.  Twenty minutes a day of prayer, mediation or yoga can also help decrease stress.
• Stay connected.  Keep in touch with friends, family co-workers.  If you are retired and feeling isolated, consider a part-time job or volunteering in your community.  Enjoying new adventures, like traveling to new locations with others, is another way to keep your mind stimulated.
• Review your medications.  Take all your medications, including vitamins, over- the-counter and herbal preparations to your doctor or pharmacist to evaluate for possible interactions that could cause memory loss or cloud your ability to concentrate.  Always ask your doctor before beginning any new drug or supplement for possible adverse effects.
• Limit TV watching.  Keep your viewing to less than seven hours a day.  Just watching hours and hours of TV is like putting your brain on auto pilot; most programs do not offer much stimulation of those vital brain cells.

Above all:  don’t live in fear.  If you are worried about your memory, talk to your physician.  Don’t let your senior moments be fearful moments.