How Aging Adults Can Advance Their Memory

Most people find that their memory gets worse as they age, but that isn't a foregone conclusion. The vast majority of people can preserve most or all of their memory if they put in some effort. There are a few different ways to do so, but according to Tucson Arizona home care specialists, the best results come from using all of them together.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle factors have a huge impact on the rate at which people lose their memory. Exercise is a key factor. In addition to maintaining general health, which makes it easier to focus on other things that can help to maintain mental function, exercise does offer some direct benefits to the brain. Many people find that they think more clearly and remember things more easily after moderate exercise, and regular exercise will help to prevent memory loss over time.

Getting enough sleep each night is also important. Six to eight hours will suffice, but getting less than that will inhibit brain function. That will make it harder to form new memories and to access the memories that already exist. Missing even a single night of good sleep will start to create problems, so it's important to make an effort to get enough sleep during every single night.

Mental Exercise

Adults have a choice between using their brain or losing it. The exact mental activity isn't terribly important. Solving crossword puzzles, reading novels, learning a new skill, or almost any other mental activity will suffice. As long as the brain stays active, it will maintain its performance at the highest possible level. Period of inactivity will cause it to lose function, just like almost every other part of the body. Some recovery is possible, but the best results will always come from preventing the problem before it starts rather than trying to fix it after the fact.

Nutrition

Brains need fuel in the form of a healthy diet. Most people who have nutritional problems with their brain need to get more fruits and vegetables, especially those that are high in antioxidants. Protein is also necessary, which should ideally come from either plant sources or low-fat animal sources. Some evidence suggest that whole grains are also beneficial. People who are lacking specific nutrients sometimes find it easier to get them through a supplement rather than through their normal diet. That can be highly effective, but it's important to consult with doctors to make sure the supplements will be useful and won't have any adverse reactions with existing medications or lead to an excess of any nutrients.