What Is a Senior Moment and How to Support Brain Health
As we age, our brains go through big functional changes. As a result, we become more likely to experience what many Vista, CA residents call a senior moment.
What is a senior moment, exactly? This is a situation where you briefly get confused or forget something. Some examples of senior moments include:
- Not recalling why you entered a room
- Forgetting where you put your keys, glasses, etc.
- Substituting a word with a similar but incorrect one
- Struggling to remember a name or address you should know
Though senior moments are normal, they can still feel alarming, especially if they start occurring more often. Here are some things you can do to prevent these moments from happening and keep your brain healthy!
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep plays an essential role in brain health in seniors. A good night's sleep clears abnormal proteins in your brain and helps consolidate your memories.
Ideally, you'd get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. This gives your brain more time to store your memories effectively. Fragmented sleep will impair your attention while leading to anxiety and irritability.
If you're finding it hard to get consecutive hours of sleep, look into why this may happen. One common reason for it is sleep apnea, which is a condition that stops you from breathing normally. Talk with your healthcare team to learn more.
Stay Mentally Active
It's no secret that many seniors worry about memory loss. The good news: with only 10% adults over 65 having dementia, this risk is lower than you may think.
Mild cognitive impairment is about twice as common, with 20% of adults suffering from it. This is defined as struggling to focus or remember things. However, your brain can also generate new cells by doing certain "brainy" activities.
For example, brain teasers such as crosswords are clearly linked to maintaining cognitive function. Doing them regularly can go a long way for your mental wellness. Other popular cognitive activities for seniors include:
- Playing cards
- Reading books
- Writing a diary
- Doing jigsaw puzzles
Move Your Body Regularly
Staying physically active is another effective way to protect your brain. Among other things, it helps reduce brain fog and improves your mood.
Most importantly, you don't need to spend all day exercising to see benefits from it. In fact, most older adults only need 15-20 minutes of physical activity a day. This should be a part of your everyday routine, much like meals.
Any activity that increases your heart rate works for this purpose, including walking. If you're not sure if you can handle more advanced activities such as swimming or cycling, talk to your healthcare provider first.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
As far as memory tips for seniors go, eating more fruits and veggies is always a good idea. Here are a few reasons why fruits and veggies are good for you:
- They protect you from diseases
- They're low in sugar and calories
- They lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- They improve memory and overall brain function
Many diets use these products to great effect. For example, the Mediterranean diet emphasises plant-based foods and healthy fats. This meal plan also relies on far less red meat and salt than most American diets.
The Mediterranean diet is particularly effective at decreasing cognitive decline in older adults. The secret lies in omega fatty acids found in extra-virgin olive oil, which make it much easier for your cells to function correctly.
Go to Hearing and Vision Checks
According to the National Institute of Health, hearing loss can contribute to the development of dementia. The same is true for vision loss.
Many seniors believe these issues are a natural part of getting older. The truth is, however, that you don't have to live with them. Have your eyesight and hearing checked regularly and take action if you notice a sharp decline.
These days, there are plenty of ways to perform these checks. For best results, you should conduct in-clinic testing annually. That said, you can also use digital tools, such as automated web-based tests or mobile Snellen charts.
Keep Good Company
Staying socially active offers a variety of protective benefits for your brain. If you live alone, here are some opportunities to connect with other people:
- Check out community events hosted by Vista churches
- Join a support group for a health issue that affects you
- Book yoga sessions, dancing lessons, or other group-friendly hobbies
Independent living programs can make it much easier to find these activities. What's more, they'll regularly host some activities on their own. If you're looking to join a senior living community, take a look at their event calendar.
Finally, try to keep in touch with your family, friends, and loved ones. If they can't meet you in person, schedule regular calls and video chats. When you're together, be present and focus on spending quality time with them.
Try to Avoid Drinking
In recent years, binge drinking has become a serious issue for seniors. Needless to say, this can have a major effect on brain function (and heart health).
The big question here is: how much drinking is too much? In general, anything over two drinks per day for men and one drink for women is bad news. Even these amounts are too much if they mess with your existing conditions.
This is why most healthy aging strategies involve cutting back on alcohol. Challenges like "Sober October" and "Dry January" can be fun ways to make this work. Your doctor may also recommend some treatment options.
This Is How to Avoid a Senior Moment
Though getting older is inevitable, there are plenty of things about it you can control. If you find yourself experiencing one senior moment too many, the above tips may help you prevent them from showing up in the future.
At Arcadia Place, we take pride in supporting the mental wellness of our residents. Our Vista, CA, senior living community offers a robust event & activity calendar that allows you to choose the perfect activities for your goals and needs!
Situated a short drive from the beach, our community is the perfect combination of coastal living and urban access. Schedule a tour to see it with your own eyes!