Many of us forget a thing or two during the course of a day. It’s annoying, sometimes embarrassing, and the odds are we will experience more of this forgetfulness as we age. It is noteworthy that memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. However, there are things that we can do to help our brain stay sharp and focused. As a leading organization providing
home health in Orlando, one of BrightStar Care’s focuses is to remain current with the most successful practices to keep our patients healthy in mind and body. If you are caring for an aging loved one, you have no doubt experienced bouts of forgetfulness in your interactions, and they are typically associated with recently-learned information. Here are a few suggestions for how to help them keep their short-term memory actively working and engaged:
- Encourage your loved one to repeat what they are hearing. For example, you can ask them to incorporate the name of a new acquaintance during a conversation. They can verbalize what they would like to purchase at the store or what television show they’d like to view.
- Similarly, many people respond to the idea of associating a visual image with newly acquired information. For instance, if they are introduced to Mr. Steinman, they may visualize a beer stein and use that to recall his name at a later time.
- Leaving a pad and paper around the house may reassure them that it’s OK to write things down to help them remember any number of things from chores to medication schedules to phone numbers and appointments.
- Keep their brains stimulated by playing word games such as Scrabble or doing crossword puzzles to help maintain memory.
- Inspire your elderly loved one to learn new things. Depending on their activity capabilities, this can include anything from learning to cook international foods, learning to knit, play an instrument, or learn a new card game. The options are limitless.
- Companionship is vital to keeping mental acuity at its best. As we age, we often withdraw from family and friends as our circle of acquaintances diminishes. Be sure to encourage your aging relative to get out and about or have people in. The simple art of conversation is an amazing counter to memory loss.
Home health in Orlando is as important to you as it is to the skilled staff at BrightStar Care. Call us at 407-877-0720, or
contact us online, and allow us the privilege of working with you to provide the best in care for your elderly loved one.
Many of us forget a thing or two during the course of a day. It’s annoying, sometimes embarrassing, and the odds are we will experience more of this forgetfulness as we age. It is noteworthy that memory loss is a natural part of the aging process. However, there are things that we can do to help our brain stay sharp and focused. As a leading organization providing home health in Orlando, one of BrightStar Care’s focuses is to remain current with the most successful practices to keep our patients healthy in mind and body. If you are caring for an aging loved one, you have no doubt experienced bouts of forgetfulness in your interactions, and they are typically associated with recently-learned information. Here are a few suggestions for how to help them keep their short-term memory actively working and engaged: