As our loved ones get older, they may find themselves forgetting things that they never had problems remembering before. They might even have a hard time remembering the names of people that are important in their lives or failing to recall some important life events.
This inevitable change they experience may lead them to feel frustrated and annoyed. They may feel hesitant to communicate with other people for fear that they will forget something and might not be understood.
They may try to cover up their problems because they are afraid of being a burden to others or not feeling like themselves anymore. They might even keep repeating the same question over and over again. Sometimes, this can cause additional stress for the person who is helping them and might be the cause of a major conflict in a relationship.
As someone who looks after the welfare of your aging loved ones, you may have already noticed your loved one is becoming more irritable and confused. No matter how frustrating the situation can be, you must remember that this change is an inevitable part of your loved one’s life.
Instead of impatience, you need to be more open and embrace helping them remember things better and achieve a quality life. To come up with useful ideas on how to help them, you need to first understand what causes rapid cognitive decline in some elderly persons.
What Causes Cognitive Decline in Seniors?
Here are a few possible reasons that can lead to loss of memory and cognitive decline.
As we age, our brain gets weaker and smaller due to the reduction or cessation of nerve cells production in the brain. This is non-traumatic damage which is caused by age-related degeneration that can’t be reversed. These degenerative changes in the brain usually begin to happen sometime around age 30. They are caused by a decline in the production of neurons, neurotransmitters, and other substances produced by these cells.
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Another big cause for cognitive decline in older individuals is Alzheimer’s disease. This is a form of dementia that causes memory loss, confusion, mood swings and disorientation. It also impairs the person’s ability to perform daily tasks. There are as yet no known treatments or cure for Alzheimer’s disease and the condition can be passed from one generation to another.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
Another possible cause of cognitive decline is the unhealthy lifestyle of the older individual. This includes alcohol and drug abuse, obesity, and lack of exercise. These things can contribute to various illnesses that your loved one may have which could lead their brains into further decline.
- Lack of Stimulation
Losing independence due to limited mobility leads many seniors to withdraw from engaging in activities that help their mental health. Lack of stimulation and physical exercise can cause mental decline and deterioration of memory.
- Poor Nutrition
Having a low quality diet like junk food, excessive sugary or high calorie foods etc will increase the risk of developing dementia because it increases the risk for weight gain and obesity, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases. It also heightens the risks of diabetes, which further increases the likelihood of dementia in elderly people. Raised blood pressure can also lead to loss of cognitive function because elevated blood pressure causes damage to small blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord.
Some types of medicines used for disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression can also cause cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease since they have adverse impact on health and fitness.
Arming yourself with the knowledge of these possible causes will help you better improve your aging loved one’s well-being and can help prevent or reduce the loss of cognitive function.
Ways to Help Aging Loved Ones Keep a Sharp Mind
There are a couple of things that you can implement in order to help your elderly loved ones and patients to keep a sharp mind and help them feel more confident and independent. By following this guide, you can help your loved ones achieve their mental best even at old age.
1. Eat Right
Arm yourself with knowledge of the best diet to secure their mental health. The first step that you can do is to learn about the types of food that are healthy for the brain. Eating a healthy diet that includes whole foods, fruits and vegetables can help your loved ones avoid high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, which are major causes of memory loss.
Here are some examples of foods that you could include in their diet:
- Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds contain “monounsaturated fats” that can help cut the risks of high cholesterol. Walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and flaxseed are nuts and seeds that you should include in your aging loved one’s diet.
- Fish: Fish is rich in “omega-3 fatty acids” which can be helpful in improving memory capacity by reducing the risks for Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and depression, which are also related to cognitive decline. Fish such as salmon and mackerel are ideal foods to include in their diet.
- Whole Grains and Beans: Whole grains and beans are also good sources of protein, fiber, calcium and iron, which are essential nutrients that are good for the brain. Examples of whole grains include brown rice, whole wheat breads and quinoa. Beans such as lentils and soy beans can help the elderly keep their mental health in check.
- Berries: Berries are rich in antioxidants which can help protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals. They also contain vitamin C, which supports the immune system and protects cells from oxidative damage.
- Apples: Apples are also rich in antioxidants and can help boost vital brain functions. Eating an apple a day is said to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease by keeping the body’s cholesterol levels at an averagely normal state.
- Broccoli: Broccoli is also rich in antioxidants and can help improve memory and brain power. It can increase your loved ones mental energy while providing relief from depression, anxiety and other stress-related disorders.
- Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate is another healthy treat for your loved ones because it contains flavanols that can help protect the brain from plaque formation which causes Alzheimer’s disease.
- Green Tea: Green tea is another healthy drink that helps improve memory retention, concentration and mood because of its high antioxidant content. Seniors can drink green tea every day to keep their bodies healthy and relaxed.
- Regular Exercise
Regular exercise can help improve your aging loved ones mental agility. With more physical energy, they will be able to keep their mind sharp and alert. This will not only boost their overall health but also give them a better mood and well-being especially during their senescence. Some exercises for elderly that boost mental health include, running, walking, swimming, and doing some light movements. Doing these can help them stay sharp.
- A Good Night’s Sleep
Not getting enough sleep can lead to a rapid decline in mental health especially for elderly persons. It will also make them feel less alert the next day, so it is essential that you help your aging loved one to get adequate sleep in order to maintain their cognitive functioning and mental health. Sleeping 8-9 hours every night is good, but long naps during the day can also improve brain function in elderly people.
- Social Interaction
Being involved in social activities is crucial for. This can be achieved by engaging in more conversations with others which could boost the brain’s ability to maintain a sharp focus. During this time, your aging loved one will be able to interact with other people around them and at the same time connect with the people that they love and cherish.
- Play Brain Stimulating Games
Playing brain-stimulating games will help your elderly loved one keep a sharp mind. In fact, it can even make them smarter because the brain stimulates the memory through visualizations and problem-solving. Games that are good for the brain include playing card games such as bridge, canasta, pinochle, whist and others. Mind Teasers are also good for aging loved ones since they help stimulate their thinking skills by challenging their spatial, verbal or mathematical abilities.
- Encourage Them to Learn New Skills
Your aging loved one may feel like they are losing control of their memory. However, it is good for them to embrace the fact that they can still be active and improve their mental abilities. Encourage them to learn new skills such as painting, beading, playing musical instruments or fixing cars. It will help them feel that they have a purpose and this will stimulate their mental abilities to work harder at solving puzzles and engaging in conversation with others.
Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to mean “senility” for your loved ones. Even as they are aging, you can help their memory stay sharp by implementing the things mentioned above. It will help them live with more independence and this will make them feel confident about themselves even in their old age.
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