How to Deal with Memory Loss as We Age
August 21, 2009
As we age most of our normal physical and mental abilities begin to slow down, bringing along with it, other socially embarrassing situations or a general feeling of being incompetent. We need to understand and accept that this is natural and look for alternate methods or solutions to work around the challenge that life has posed before us.
Memory loss is one such condition that age brings along with it. Getting frustrated or angry will only make things worse. Once you accept it and take it in your stride, life automatically becomes easy. It is natural to forget names of people you’ve recently met or forget to get all the grocery items that you listed mentally.
Laugh about it! When you are too tough on yourself, you only complicate things further. Honestly believe that is okay to forget with age. The next time you go shopping for groceries, make a list on paper. Take this along with you and keep ticking whatever you pick up.
Keep a to-do list and put it up on your fridge or any other place in the house where the list is easily visible. Alternately, keep a journal and list down all the forth coming events and things that need to done. Keep different books for different bills or investments that you’ve made. This way, you can keep a check on due dates for bill payments and maturity dates for your investments.
Start writing a diary. You have probably retired and have more time on hand now. Write a diary and list down all that happened during the day. This way, if you forget something that happened in the recent past, you can always read your diary.
Follow a routine everyday to help your body get used to certain actions that follow each other.
Make labels for different drawers and name them according to their contents, so you are not hassled when looking for something. Try labeling them alphabetically, this way you stay more organized and life is easy for you.
Have specific places for items like keys or your spectacles and make an effort to keep them in the specified spots. This way you always know where to look for things.
Do not isolate yourself, make friends and meet them every evening for a walk in the park. Conversations with different people about various topics are a good way to recall events.
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