10 Tips to Help Forgetful Seniors

By Andy Niska | September 28, 2017 |

Seeing your senior parent face all the challenges that come with aging can be difficult. One of the most frustrating parts for family caregivers, senior care assistants, and elderly people is the forgetfulness that accompanies aging. Sometimes the memory lapses are minor, such as forgetting someone’s name. Other times, they can be more significant, like forgetting an appointment. The good news is that unless the memory loss is being caused by a condition such as dementia, there are ways to boost brain power and minimize forgetfulness in elderly parents.

Senior Care in North Spokane WA: Tips to Help Forgetful Seniors

If you want to help your aging parent be less forgetful, then consider implementing some of these tips into their life.

Get Organized. No matter what age, an unorganized person is going to be more forgetful. When everything has a place in the house, they are much less likely to forget where they put something. Strong habits can make deep impacts in the brain and make it hard to forget basic routines.
Create a Set Schedule. It’s easy for anyone to mix up dates, times and appointments. For seniors, setting a routine makes it easier to keep track of events. Set laundry day on the same weekday and schedule senior care aides to come at the same time and days each week.
Use a Calendar or White Board. There’s no way to forget something that is written down, so have everyone write on a wall calendar when something is happening. Seniors can check frequently to ensure they don’t miss out on something. Encourage family members and senior care aides to use these tools as well.
Consider a Digital Assistant. The latest technology allows seniors and others to have a digital assistant right in the home that will answer questions, deliver reminders, and even schedule appointments. Simply by speaking the question aloud, seniors can ask for all kinds of information to help them remember things.
Focus on Health. Physical health goes a long way toward mental health and agility. With a good diet full of brain food like fish, green vegetables, and dark fruit, seniors can boost their memory and recall and keep the brain healthy. They should also stay hydrated, because lack of water has a big impact on cognitive ability.
Aerobic Exercise. Many studies show that aerobic exercise is actually good for the brain because it ensures blood flow and oxygen intake. It helps relieve stress and improve mood as well.
Exercise the Mind. There are all kinds of brain exercises that help keep seniors sharp, from Sudoku and chess to music lessons, crossword puzzles, and reading. Memorization is a fine tool to help with forgetfulness. Any activity that causes the brain to create new pathways can help with recall.
Adequate Sleep. Both naps and a proper amount of sleep at night can boost the brain’s ability to recall memories. Too many seniors struggle with inadequate sleep, which can affect cognitive ability.
Check Prescription Medicines. There are plenty of prescription medications that help seniors live longer and healthier lives, but some of the side effects may affect memory. It’s always a good idea to check with the doctor to see whether there are alternatives that may not cause forgetfulness.
Encouragement. Never dwell on a forgetful moment and celebrate all the times the elderly person does it right to boost self-esteem and eliminate worry and frustration.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in North Spokane, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Source:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201011/six-things-seniors-can-do-improve-memory

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.