How to Keep Your Memory Sharp Over the Age of 55

As you age, it's normal for changes to occur throughout your body, including your brain. Sometimes, these changes are expected, while other times, the effects of these changes are unexpected and unwanted. One of the changes aging can cause is differences in memory, including memory loss. As you age, you may find that your memory isn't as good as it used to be, it takes you longer to remember things you used to recall immediately, or those pesky house keys have vanished again. Regardless of how you experience your memory changing, it's important to know that you can take steps to keep your memory sharp as you age.

Stay Physically Active With Exercise

At Silverfern, we offer multiple ways for you to stay physically active, including our dance and yoga studio, our gym, and our heated indoor pool.

Engage In Mental Exercises To Maintain Memory

When you want to improve or maintain your memory, it should come as no surprise that keeping your mind active can help reduce memory loss challenges. There are many ways to engage your brain, including:

• Meditation: Meditating is a practice that allows you to organize your thoughts and actively engage your brain. There are different types of meditation, and finding one that lets you engage with your memories is the best way to maintain your memory.
• Board Games: Board games, especially ones with a complex strategy, can help you engage the parts of your brain responsible for memory and learning.
• Brain Training Games: Beyond board games, some types of games are especially well-suited to improving your memory. Try games like Sudoku®, Crossword Puzzles, Mahjong, or Solitaire.
• Visualization: Similar to meditation, visualization is a way to engage your brain. But rather than thinking about the past or present, you instead focus on your future and how you want it to go, making it easier to achieve goals.
• Music: Listening to music and learning to sing or play an instrument contributes to improved memory, especially when you actively engage in the music through dance, learning, or active listening.
• Learning: Learning a new skill, talent, or language can also help maintain or improve your memory as these activities stimulate the regions of your brain responsible for memory, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.
  

When you become part of our Silverfern community, you gain access to the Silverfern Club, which includes our amenities such as learning and education opportunities, music, and games.

Spend Time Around Other People

Another way to maintain and improve your memory is to socialize with your friends and family. Socializing requires you to stay engaged in the conversation, listen to and remember what others say, and consider what you're going to say as well. Each of these can keep your mind engaged, which helps it get the practice it needs to continue working well beyond 55 years old.

Here at Silverfern, we create a community of like-minded 55+ members with whom you can interact regularly. We also provide plenty of spaces for your friends and family who aren't members of the community to visit you.

Eat Well

Eating a nutrient-rich diet can help keep your memory sharp as you age. When you cook for yourself, consider foods such as fatty fish, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to maintain and improve your memory.

Elizabeth, our Director of Culinary Services, ensures we offer well-rounded meals that support your mental and physical health as part of our Garden Haus Bistro's offerings. If you're in the mood for travel throughout the Cincinnati area, there are also plenty of dining options where you can eat well.

Dementia Memory Loss

While many people may experience minor memory loss, Dementia is something that some people may experience. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you can monitor for these signs of Dementia in yourself and loved ones:

• Forgetting recent events.
• Getting lost while walking or driving.
• Losing track of time.
• Challenges performing familiar tasks.
• Misjudging distances to objects.
  

Stay Sharp at Silverfern Senior Living

We offer many ways you can maintain and improve your memory at Silverfern. From excellent amenities to a thriving community, we hope you will consider our services. We are also happy to work with third-party Cincinnati memory care providers and other third-party services to ensure you can live a fulfilling lifestyle as part of our community.

Call us at (513) 563-8333 to learn more.