Memory Assessment. Is It Forgetfulness or Something Else?
Aug 26, 2021
Weve all lost our keys or forgotten to take the garbage out. Everyone gets into a bind when they cant remember the name of a person they met last week, or why they walked into the bedroom just now. Our lives are busy, weve got a lot on our minds, and our attention is divided among all our daily tasks. There isnt one of us, though, who hasnt thought Am I just forgetful today or is this something more serious.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and every year 10 million new cases are found.It is estimated that 5-8% of the over 60 population is experiencing some form of cognitive impairment.
Cognitive impairment can be caused by a wide variety of non-dementia related issues, from medication side effects, metabolic and endocrine disorders to illness and depression. It can also be caused by dementia. Assessing cognitive impairment and identifying its cause, particularly at an early stage, is hugely important.
Medicare now requires that all beneficiaries receive a cognitive assessment at their Annual Wellness Visit.Coverage for the wellness visit (and any follow-up visits) is available to anyone who has had Medicare Part B coverage for at least 12 months. This initial screening will take 10 minutes or less when done by trained staff. A positive screening result warrants further evaluation with a combination of cognitive testing and patient history (often from the patient themselves and family members/caregivers).
The National Institute on Aging points out the abundant benefits associated with assessing cognitive impairment and identifying its causes. If the screening is negative, the patients and the familys concerns may be alleviated. If the screening is positive, then further evaluations are warranted. The first step is to identify the cause of the impairment. If it is dementia, early diagnosis can help the patient, and the family address issues such as averting potential safety concerns, creating or updating advance directives and long-term care plans, arranging for assistance with medical, legal and financial concerns, and providing the patient, family members, and caregivers appropriate information and referrals
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How can you lower your dementia risk?
At Grey Matters Health, we're always watching for news articles to help inform and encourage you in your brain health journey. The recent article "Doctors Share The 14 Things You Can Do To Lower Dementia Risk Right Now" from Womens Health provides expert-backed strategies to help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Dementia, including Alzheimers, affects millions globally, but proactive lifestyle changes can significantly lower the likelihood of cognitive decline.Key recommendations include maintaining a healthy weight, managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, and quitting smoking. Cardiovascular health is vital, as a healthy heart promotes better brain function. Incorporating physical activity, such as walking or strength training, and eating a balanced diet, like the Mediterranean or DASH diet, supports brain health.Mental stimulation is equally important. Engage in activities that challenge your mind, like puzzles, reading, or learning new skills. Social connections also play a crucial role; maintaining an active social life helps combat loneliness and improves cognitive resilience. Additionally, quality sleep is emphasized, as inadequate rest can lead to harmful brain changes over time.Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding exposure to air pollution are other essential steps. The article underscores that while no single change guarantees protection, adopting multiple healthy habits can dramatically reduce your dementia risk and enhance overall well-being. By starting these practices now, you can protect your brain for the long term.You can read the entire article at www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a63227792/lower-dementia-risk-doctors/.For more about protecting your future independence and longevity, visit www.GreyHealthMatters.org.
Seven Steps for A Healthy Brain
Home care assistance supports brain health in the elderly, reducing cognitive decline risk, promoting independence, and enhancing mental health for a better quality of life. Brain health is an important aspect of growing old. As your elderly loved one gets older, its important that he continues to practice good habits to keep his brain healthy so he can continue to enjoy these later years of his life. Home care assistance services can also help. Three Great Benefits of a Healthy Brain A healthy brain has less risk of developing diseases such as dementia, Alzheimers, and other conditions that cause cognitive decline. A healthy brain can lead to a more independent life. If your loved one desires to stay in his home and age in place, keeping his brain healthy is a huge part of making that successful, along with help from home care assistance. A healthy brain is able to problem-solve, remember important facts, and manage day-to-day tasks, all important aspects of maintaining independence for your elderly loved one. A healthy brain improves mental health as well by reducing the risk of depression and anxiety. By being able to find the positive and feel good about himself, your loved one will enjoy his life more and the world around him. Seven Steps to a Healthy Brain Just the way that physical health doesnt just happen, a healthy brain needs actions taken as well. Some actions can be taken on his own, but for others, your loved one may need support from a family member or a home care assistance team. Protect the head. Its important to protect his head to reduce the risk of brain injury. Simple steps like wearing a helmet while bicycling or putting on a seatbelt each time hes in a car are acts of protecting his brain from injury. Get a good nights sleep. Sleeping well is important for maintaining good brain health. Not sleeping well can make making decisions more difficult, making focus harder, and disrupting emotions. Exercise. Being active regularly is great for the brain. Physical activity raises the heart rate and gets the blood flowing to all areas of the body, including the brain. With the help of home care assistance, your loved one can start by planning daily walks of at least 30 minutes to keep in shape physically and mentally. Keep learning. Exercising the brain by playing games, doing research, or learning a new skill is an important part of brain health. Control blood pressure levels. High blood pressure can damage the brain, so keeping blood pressure levels under control through healthy living and/or medications is important to brain health. Manage diabetes. Diabetes is another health condition that can be detrimental to brain health. High blood sugar levels can damage brain vessels, resulting in memory and problem-solving abilities and possibly leading to dementia. Eat right. Eating foods rich in healthy nutrients and low in unhealthy ingredients can help the body provide the brain with what it needs to work at its best. Home care assistance providers can help seniors with nutritional support and meal prep. Home Care Assistance Can Support Brain Health For some, making lifestyle changes to promote brain health is difficult to do on their own. Just like an athlete may need a trainer to help him stay motivated, your loved one may need help from others to stay on track. A home care assistance provider who helps him prepare healthy meals or encourages daily exercise is a great partner to have in brain health. If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in Arvada, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (720) 789-8529 At Talem Home Care of Broomfield, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Broomfield, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Commerce City, Denver, Erie, Firestone, Lafayette, Lakewood, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Sherrelwood, Thornton, Welby, Westminster, Wheat Ridge and surrounding areas in Colorado.
Podcasts for Seniors
Podcasts offer an incredible way to stay entertained, informed, and mentally engaged. They provide a unique opportunity to explore diverse topics, learn new things, and connect with interesting stories and ideas.Benefits of PodcastsMental StimulationEngaging with podcasts provides an excellent mental workout. By listening to content about history, science, art, and various other topics, seniors can:Keep their mind sharpMaintain cognitive vitalityExplore new areas of interestConnection and CommunityPodcasts create a sense of connection through:Storytelling that transports listeners to different worldsDiscussion-based shows that spark thought-provoking conversationsOpportunities to feel part of a broader communityFlexible EntertainmentPodcasts offer:Diverse content for every interestConvenience of listening anytime, anywhereNo rigid schedulesRecommended Podcasts for SeniorsStorytelling and Personal Narratives"The Moth": Real people sharing captivating personal stories"On Being with Krista Tippett": Exploring spirituality and human experiencesHistorical and Cultural Insights"Stuff You Missed in History Class": Uncovering hidden historical stories"Decoder Ring": Exploring cultural phenomena and their originsFiction and Mystery"Unwell, a Midwestern Gothic Mystery": A serialized audio drama exploring small-town secretsGetting StartedTo begin your podcast journey:Use smartphones, tablets, or computersExplore podcast platforms like Spotify or Apple PodcastsStart with topics that genuinely interest youDon't be afraid to try different showsPodcasts provide a wonderful way to learn, be entertained, and stay mentally active, all from the comfort of your home.