Living with Memory Loss
Despite what you may have heard, memory loss is not an
inevitable part of aging - in fact, it is possible to enjoy good
long and short term memory at any stage of life. It's just a
matter of keeping your mind active and engaged. If, however, you
do happen to find that things are slipping your mind more than
they used to, here are some factors to consider.
How busy are you? If you are working yourself ragged, there may
be little mental energy left over to deal with other tasks. The
result is memory loss - or, at least, you may feel as though you
are experiencing memory loss. In reality, you may just be
overextending yourself. You might not be able to pay attention
to detail if you simply have too many details to think about.
Everybody's mind needs - and deserves to get - a break now and
again! To deal with this type of memory loss, try giving
yourself a break. The human mind is very self-protective, and
possibly you are 'spacing out' because you have more than enough
to do already!
If you're convinced that your memory loss is due to something
other than just simple overwork, however, there are other
measures you can consider. For example, it is very helpful to
have a regular routine, and a regular place to put things around
the house. If you always put your keys in exactly the same place
when you come home, there is little chance that you will lose
them or forget where they are. If you always follow the same
routine, it gets imprinted on your mind as time goes on. You are
less likely to experience much memory loss if you are organized
and have a regular routine. In fact, this is true for everyone,
completely regardless of age! We all benefit from having an
orderly, relatively clutter-free existence.
Reinforce your organization by writing notes and lists. Because
writing involves a large muscle group, it helps ideas become
fixed in your mind, minimizing memory loss. And then, of course,
the notes or lists themselves are invaluable - they provide
written records of your day, as well as being directives.
Writing things down is the classic way to avoid memory loss, and
it still works just as well as it ever did. Memory loss is not
inevitable, regardless of what you may have heard. Many people
enjoy excellent memory well into their seventies, eighties or
nineties.