Remember mastering the order of the colors of the rainbow in elementary school? A lot of us were introduced to Roy G. Biv to master this feat – one of many mnemonics we learn that, remarkably, often stay with us for a lifetime. Even as we grow older, research is showing how effective techniques like this can be to improve senior memory.
As we age, some degree of memory impairment will be anticipated; and naturally it is much more pronounced when Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia is a factor. Scientists are continuously seeking to identify effective strategies to improve memory and cognitive functioning, and have uncovered some interesting findings on “old school” strategies such as mnemonics. Here is what they’ve recently uncovered:
Mnemonics provides an association to a memory through a song, phrase, abbreviation, etc. This type of training revealed noteworthy results in increasing activity in areas of the brain which are typically impacted by dementia, resulting in improved retention of information.
There are unlimited mnemonic strategies that are really effective in improving memory. As an example, try mnemonic keywords. They are an enjoyable and creative way to memorize words in a different language. This involves choosing a word that is similar to the new word you wish to learn, and visualizing a picture that brings the two words together. For instance, if you’re wanting to remember that chapeau is French for the word “hat,” you could picture Charlie Chaplin along with his infamous black hat. The “Chap” part of his name can trigger the initial letters in chapeau, and the memory will stick.
This tactic involves slowly increasing the amount of time between memory tests, and was found to also be highly successful for people with Alzheimer's. As compared to mnemonics, however, there was actually a decrease in brain activity, leading researchers to ascertain that the information had been processed more efficiently.
Spaced retrieval training is highly useful for improving independence and minimizing anxiety for those with cognitive challenges. Choose a desired activity or event for the person to remember, like a lunch date with a friend on Friday. First ask the person a question to ascertain whether the memory is already in place. If not, remind them that they are having lunch with Julia on Friday. Wait 15 seconds, and ask the person the question again. If the memory is in place now, increase the time to 30 seconds, and inquire again, continuing to double the time and ask again. If the person doesn't remember after 15 seconds, keep repeating the procedure every 15 seconds several more times before determining that this is simply not an effective technique, at least not for this particular event or activity.
Both tactics are simple, drug-free approaches to incorporate into the treatment plan for someone during the early stages of dementia, or for anyone who is searching for ways to improve senior memory.
Let Help at Home Senior Care, the experts in respite care in Lincoln, CA and nearby areas, provide further support and resources for someone you love with dementia. Our creative techniques to care help make the most of a senior’s cognitive functioning, independence, and wellbeing. Contact us at (530) 885-7444 to get more information.
In his documentary about grief, George Shelley uses an analogy of glitter. Throw glitter into the air, and it’ll fall into the cracks and crevices of the floor, impossible to fully sweep up and remove. Anyone who has lost a loved one can relate. Yet in some instances, grief may be so overwhelming that it could result in a serious and aptly-named condition: broken heart syndrome.
Broken heart syndrome is a real and serious physical condition that stems from the grueling stress experienced in some kinds of grief (such as one spouse losing the other after decades of marriage). The medical term is takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a temporary enlargement of the heart that prevents it from pumping blood effectively.
Furthermore, broken heart syndrome is more common than people may know. A number of high-visibility examples include Johnny Cash, who passed on just four months following the loss of his wife and George H.W. Bush, who became ill following the death of his wife of 73 years.
There has been research on the impact of grief on a person’s physical health for years. In 1995, for instance, the term “widowhood effect” was coined to explain the 30% increase in mortality rate faced by those who lost a longtime partner. Other scientists determined a connection between the immune system and grief. Some surviving spouses simply lose the will to live.
Help prevent this condition and ease the pain of grief for someone you love with these tips.
A trained caregiving companion from Help at Home Senior Care can also be a great way to help a senior who is grieving. We offer socialization and plenty of opportunities for reminiscing and conversations, along with engaging activities, transportation wherever an older adult would like to go, and so much more. Reach out to us online or at (530) 885-7444 for a complimentary in-home consultation to find out more about our Auburn, CA senior care and care throughout the surrounding areas.
Nowadays, music is more available than ever before. For those who carry smartphones or tablets with them wherever they go, hundreds of thousands – if not tens of millions of songs – are merely a few taps or finger swipes away. If you're a caregiver for an older adult, your smartphone may become one of the most practical tools in your possession when you learn about the benefits of music for seniors. This viral video clip from the Alive Inside documentary shows just how incredibly effective music can be for older adults with restricted capabilities and dementia.
With massive musical libraries readily available from places like iTunes, Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify, and plenty of others, we can now find music, in many cases at no charge, in a variety of genres in mere seconds. Caregivers can find out what kinds of music the older adult liked earlier in his or her lifetime. The music a senior prefers may be related to a particular period of time, such as Big Band music, or it might be unique to his or her religious beliefs, such as gospel or hymns, for example. The type of music enjoyed throughout one’s life might also hinge on the person’s ethnic background – like those who prefer reggae or salsa. The senior may also have enjoyed classic favorites like jazz, blues, classical, country, and so forth. No matter the musical preference, access to music could have amazing advantages.
Did you ever listen to a song on the radio and have it transport you back to a specific time in your life? Research has uncovered that music is clearly linked to personal memories. The human brain is actually hard-wired to link music with long-term memories. This is the case even for those with moderate to severe dementia.
Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of seniors through digital music technology, greatly improving quality of life. The staff at Music & Memory train caregivers for seniors and family members on how to develop and use individualized playlists with digital devices to allow older adults who have dementia and other challenges to reconnect with the world through memories from music.
Research has also uncovered that hearing music that is familiar and well-loved can assist in reducing anxiety levels and increase focus on the present timeframe, which in turn helps the elderly with dementia to connect to those around them.
At Help at Home Senior Care, our objective is always to enhance the quality of life for seniors through our creative dementia home care services and support. And, we go the extra mile when it comes to the small things that can bring joy to the days of those we serve – such as through music and other creative activities. Call us today at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about our in-home care in Roseville, CA and nearby areas.
It is instinctive to most of us that socialization with others improves well-being. It keeps us connected to other people’s experiences, beliefs, challenges, humor, viewpoints, and other human occurrences. However, now scientific research is confirming that socializing with others, and specifically socialization for seniors, actually may improve the wellness of both brain and body.
The outcomes point clearly to the impact of friendship and social engagement for seniors. A study performed by Rush University Medical Center determined that someone who noted a high degree of senior socialization was almost twice as likely to remain free of impairment with activities of daily living than someone with a lower degree of social activity. Additionally, a person is about one and a half times as likely to remain free of disability with instrumental activities of daily living or mobility. Very social seniors had a 70% reduction in their rate of cognitive decline when compared with unsocial seniors.
Nevertheless, staying social is not intuitive to all of us, and for many, it actually is more challenging with age because one’s ability to get around can be greatly reduced. Here are several ways a home care agency such as Help at Home Senior Care can help older individuals stay social and protect their quality of life:
In the Social Activity and Wellbeing of Older Australians Study, testing over 6,000 older individuals over about 5 1/2 years, seniors who have routine, regular social activity were shown to have a slower decline in intellectual and memory performance. Better mental capacity was observed most in seniors who were the most socially engaged.
Having a trusted home care agency provide in-home care to motivate and aid with senior socialization may just be one of the most important ways to help an elderly adult continue to thrive and feel alive. Help at Home Senior Care's staff are all fully committed to supporting the independence, dignity, and social connection of every senior we serve. To learn more about our in-home care in Lincoln, CA and the surrounding areas, contact us at (530) 885-7444.
The holidays are loaded with get-togethers, parties, and celebrations. Yet for older adults, holiday outings call for a little additional planning. Follow these guidelines from the caring professionals at Help at Home Senior Care, providers of in-home respite care services in Grass Valley, CA and surrounding communities, to enjoy relaxed and fun outings with loved ones of all ages this season.
Before leaving the house to enjoy holiday activities for seniors, think about:
Be certain to prepare for a wide variety of possible plan changes:
Need some holiday outing suggestions that seniors will take pleasure in? Consider the following:
When participating in any holiday activities for seniors, take things slow, and create a relaxing environment to make sure loved ones are comfortable and content. Help at Home Senior Care’s in-home respite care in Grass Valley, CA and surrounding areas can offer support and boost a senior's independence while providing high-quality in-home care over the course of the holiday season and all through the year! Contact our dedicated senior care professionals online or at (530) 885-7444 to learn more.
