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Seniors
Health > Memory Loss
Information is stored in different parts of your
memory (just like a computer). Information stored in
the short term memory may include the name of a
person you met moments ago (onboard cache on a
computer chip). Information stored in the recent
memory may include what you ate for breakfast (RAM)
and information stored in the remote memory includes
things that you stored in your memory years ago,
such as childhood memories (hard drive).
At
the age of 20, you begin to lose brain cells a few
at a time. Your body also makes less of the
chemicals your brain cells need to work and function
at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, the older you
are, the more these changes in brain cells can
affect your memory.
As
you age, your short term and remote memories aren’t
usually affected by aging. Your recent memory
however, may be affected. You will forget names of
people you’ve met recently and these are normal
changes.
There are a few things you can do to help you
strengthen your short term memory as well as
remember important things. Keep lists, follow a
routine, make associations such as landmarks to help
you find your places, repeat names when you meet new
people, do things that keep your mind and body busy
and put important items (such as car keys) in the
same place every time.
Memory loss becomes serious when it affects your
daily living. If you sometimes forget names, you’re
probably ok, but if you have trouble remembering how
to do things that you’ve done many times before
(getting to a place or doing things that use steps
like follow a recipe) than you are in need of
medical assistance.
A memory problem is serious when it affects your
daily living. If you sometimes forget names, you're
probably okay. But you may have a more serious
problem if you have trouble remembering how to do
things you've done many times before, getting to a
place you've been to often, or doing things that use
steps, like following a recipe.
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