Seniors who have made memories over the last year, and the New Year that’s just begun will not want to forget them. But that’s a great fear of many older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia being fairly common cognitive ailments. Resolve to improve your brain health with these steps, and make 2010 a year to remember.

1. Keep your brain active – use training sessions that keep your brain active regularly. Try memory games, activities that require skill and logic, or learn new skills in order to help keep your brain on its figurative toes!

2. Snap out of your routine – when you follow the same routine day after day, your brain is no longer actively engaged. Simply by doing the same routine tasks in different ways you can keep your brain sharp

3. Think positively – since stress can affect memory, think positively about all aspects of your life. Don’t expect that your memory is likely to fail simply because of family history. Understand that you can take some control over your future in a positive way!

Via: AARP

Image Source: sxc.hu

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angelesarea. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Home Care Pasadena provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Eagle Rock, La Canada, South Pasadena, Los Angeles area. Call us today at 626-486-0800.

Positive Outlook Reduces Chances of Dementia

Sociable people who don’t sweat the small stuff may be more likely to remember the small stuff as they age, new research exploring the link between personality and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease suggests.

“Older people who are active, outgoing and relaxed may be less likely to develop dementia,” said study author Hui-Xin Wang with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Researchers questioned 506 older people about their personality traits and lifestyle to measure their sociability and disposition to stress, HealthDay reports. After six years, 144 had developed some form of dementia. Researchers discovered that calm, more relaxed people, whether they had active social lives or not, were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who had higher levels of neuroticism.

People who were both calm and outgoing, with active social lives, also were 50 percent less likely to develop dementia.

“Strategies to change lifestyle, such as having an active lifestyle engagement in different leisure activities, i.e. mental, social and physical activities, or having a rich social network, may protect against dementia,” said Wang.