The effects of memory loss are often difficult to cope with and can impact day-to-day lives. Memory loss is not always a sign of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, but it may signify that something needs to change in your lifestyle. By changing how you live with the condition, you may find that you’re better able to manage it and even reduce some symptoms. Here we will explore 5 different ways to adjust to living with memory loss so that you can maintain independence for as long as possible.
Improve Your Diet
The food you eat can have a significant impact on your memory. Eating healthy regularly is essential for heart health, cholesterol levels, muscle mass, and brain function. A diet rich in whole grains like brown rice, fruit, and vegetables like kale may help improve short-term memory loss. Incorporating fatty acids into the diet has also been linked with better cognitive performance and a lower risk of dementia (such as salmon). Maintain good hydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Also, avoid refined sugars, which contribute to inflammation throughout the body. Choose lean meats high in protein but low fat, and if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Get Active
Lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of disease and disability worldwide, with heart disease being a primary concern. Regular exercise improves mental ability and physical fitness. It can also reduce symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, that may lead to memory loss. Getting out for daily walks helps improve circulation and increase oxygen flow to your brain. If you cannot walk outside because of safety reasons, try walking on a treadmill indoors where there’s no wind chill factor. Even activities like gardening or playing ball games at home with friends and family can help maintain an active lifestyle.
For instance, try interval training, which alternates between high-intensity and low-intensity exercise. If you’re not used to exercising daily, start with short walks around your neighborhood.
Reduce Stress
Stress is a significant contributor to memory loss, as it can create anxiety and other mood disorders that affect the brain. Stress also contributes to long-term memory problems by blocking its pathways. The first step in reducing your stress levels is finding out what triggers your anxiety. Whether it’s work-related issues or money woes at home—then try tackling these one at a time. Meditation has offered relief from depression and helped improve focus.
Get Involved in Group Activities
Another great idea is enrolling in group activities such as memory care white plains, yoga classes, book clubs, cooking lessons. Also, any structured environment will help lower their anxiety. When your loved one feels isolated and lonely, being around strangers may be the last thing that comes to mind! However, this could trigger positive memories in their mind. Why? Because it forces interaction with others, who are going through similar experiences. This would also give you a chance to connect with other family members experiencing memory loss too.
A day trip might even be what they need. An outing where no specific schedule has been set can provide more opportunities for spontaneous fun. But take care not to over-schedule yourself while doing so since you may end up missing out on making memories yourself.
Maintain Physical Hygiene
Taking care of your hygiene ensures that you’ll feel confident and comfortable around others. If you find it difficult to remember how often to wash or change clothes, keep track daily so that these tasks become part of your everyday routine. Try maintaining regular check-ups with the GP for memory loss symptoms like forgetfulness. Make sure any medications are still working by updating doctors about any changes in health status.
Also, don’t neglect oral hygiene. Brush teeth twice per day using fluoride toothpaste. If possible, see a dental hygienist every three months who will remove plaque build-up under gums, which can lead to bad breath and gum disease.
Final Thought
Living with memory loss can be challenging, but the above tips are simple ways to help reduce its impact on daily life. Remember that there is no “cure” for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. However, lifestyle changes have been proven effective in slowing down the progress of these diseases while maintaining a high quality of life. These measures will also save you time and money, which could otherwise be spent visiting doctors’ appointments.
