Be AWake to Memory Care
Get Better Organized! If you put things in their proper places, they will be there when you look for them. Car keys, for example, should go back on the key holder, the drawer, your purse or wherever you decide the proper place for them. Always put them there and they will be there when you look for them. Ditto for other objects like your purse, your hat or your glasses. Life is a lot simpler when everything is in its place!
Am I just distracted?
Work harder to pay attention and concentrate. It’s easy to forget what you’re looking for when opening the fridge. Distractions cause you to forget, not your memory.
Eat well. You might want to take vitamin supplements. The B vitamins and D3 are best. Pay attention to eating heart healthy foods that are low in fat and high in fiber.
Exercise your body. Believe it or not, cardiovascular exercise, like walking, will improve memory and brain function. If your doctor approves, get active. Activity also helps your strength, balance and blood circulation and improves mood.
Get plenty of sleep. Your brain processes the day’s events while you sleep and stores them in your memory.
Be social! Enjoy time with friends and family. Walk together. Share a meal together. Take up a hobby. Volunteer in the community
Video Games?
Now is the time to challenge your brain. Although some memory loss is a natural part of aging, you should try new activities that make you think. Go to a museum, or the library, once a month. Learn words in a new language. Do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle. Get a younger person to show you how to play the latest video games. Who knows? You might even have some fun and make new friends.
Try new things! Maybe you will enjoy a video game with a granddaughter!
Early Signs of Dementia
It’s totally normal to misplace your wallet or forget the names of your kids’ friends every so often. But while some memory lapses are no big deal, others could signal the beginnings of dementia. Dementia includes Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal disorders, and Lewy body dementia.
If you suspect that you (or someone you know) has dementia, talk to your doctor right away. Be AWake to some of the signs and symptoms.
- You can’t remember having a conversation with someone.
- Paying bills or writing checks becomes difficult.
- You misplace objects.
- You get lost when driving.
- You don’t trust people anymore.
March is Social Workers Month!
Medical social workers, sometimes called case managers, provide support and resources to patients recovering from illness or injury. First an assessment is done to identify patient needs. The social worker meets with the patient’s family and health providers to coordinate an individualized discharge plan for in-home care, therapy, medical equipment, transportation, counseling or other follow-up treatments.
A medical social worker can connect you with important resources in the community.
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