One of the most neglected aspects of aging is cognitive health. Sometimes, you only start to worry when your senior loved one is already exhibiting symptoms. Paying attention to cognitive issues must be a priority and not just something you think of when the problems are already there.
Cognitive decline or cognitive impairment in seniors is often due to several causes, the most common of which are dementia and depression, metabolic imbalances, vitamin and nutrient deficiency, hormone-related problems, and medication side effects. It is an essential component of brain health. Cognitive issues affect a person’s ability to think, remember, and learn properly, so if your senior loved one has difficulties concentrating, remembering, making decisions, and learning new things, it’s time to see the doctor. Early screening is vital in understanding the issues and what should be done.
Caring for older loved ones with senior cognitive issues is not easy. As such, learning everything that you can about the impairment will significantly help.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand and care for your loved one as he or she battles the challenges of cognitive impairment.
Aging-related cognitive issues are categorized into memory impairment, Dementia, and MCI or amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
Memory impairment is related to normal aging and commonly affects older adults. In some cases, seniors have better memory test results compared to younger patients.
Dementiais probably the most common and globally known type of cognitive impairment. It is a severe irreversible, chronic, and progressive condition that affects an individual’s typical day-to-day functioning.
MCI, or amnestic mild cognitive impairment, results in memory loss, which leads to your loved one becoming forgetful, among other things. Common symptoms include struggling to come up with the right words, forgetting important occasions, and misplacing stuff.
Other cognitive issues include substance-induced cognitive impairment, amnesia, developmental disorders, and motor skills disorders.
Several factors cause cognitive decline in seniors:
If you want to help, your senior family member deal with cognitive issues, familiarize yourself with tips for reducing risks.
Your senior loved one needs a change in diet if you want to keep his cognitive health in check. Ideally, it would be best to go for a low-fat one, which helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Another option would be to go for a plant-based diet.
A lifestyle change is also vital, especially if your loved one is relatively sedentary and stays home most of the time. Schedule a time for exercise; light activities like walking for about 20 minutes a day and doing some stretches are already a big help. Staying active helps keep older adults strong, energetic, healthy, and happy. Regular exercise also helps improve their balance.
Try to encourage your seniors to stay in touch with friends and colleagues, as keeping social contact is also important.
Getting enough sleep and rest is another vital factor in avoiding the risks of cognitive impairment.
Smoking and drinking alcohol will trigger cognitive impairment, so avoiding them is the best thing to do.
Keep the brain working” may sound cliché, but it is true. Remember, cognitive impairment affects a person’s mental or cognitive acuity – which pertains to the sharpness of the mind. Find time to play some mind games with your loved one or any game that will have him challenging his brain (thinking, analyzing).
Other activities that help keep the brain active include hobbies like photography and reading. Picking up a new hobby or volunteering are also excellent ideas.
Even if your senior loved one isn’t showing any symptoms, he needs to visit your family physician regularly. Health screenings help determine if there are signs you didn’t notice before.
Also, ask your physician what vitamins and other supplements are essential for good cognitive help.
Knowing these essential details about cognitive health will help you learn how to take care of your senior loved one even before symptoms start showing up. If you need to know more about cognitive issues in seniors, get in touch with your healthcare worker or physician.
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