Home Care Services Rock Hill SC
As your parent ages, the first signs of memory loss can sometimes leave you fearful. Is this the first signs of dementia setting in? Do I need to redesign my life and the life of my parent? The good news is that there are a number of reasons for memory loss.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 protects the neurons in the brain. Deficiency in this important vitamin can lead to memory loss and loss of balance, fatigue, shortness of breath, and numbness or tingling from nerve damage.
Sleep Deprivation
Problems with sleep are common among the elderly and can cause significant memory loss. Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley found poor sleep caused memories to remain in the hippocampus, failing to transfer to the cortex. This prevents memories from being saved.
Depression
Change can be constant as one ages. From retirement and loss of the social network, this provided changes in the family unit at home and deterioration in the physical body. The elderly often experience a number of changes in rapid succession which leaves them vulnerable to depression. If this is a consideration, make a prompt appointment with their home care provider.
Chronic Alcoholism
Alcohol significantly inhibits activity in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that stores memory.
Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorders include hormonal imbalances, chronic low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, liver cirrhosis and kidney failure can all have an effect on memory.
Medications
Anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, pain killers, drugs for hypertension or Parkinson’s, and ones that promote sleep can effect memory.
How to Help
With the help of their primary home care services provider, the cause of your parent’s memory loss can be determined. Once realized, treatment can be implemented. There are a few universal lifestyle changes that will positively affect the health of the brain in any circumstance.
Exercise. Just as your body requires exercise, so too does your brain. Keep the blood pumping through the arteries with 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days per week. This can include anything from walking to dancing to doing water aerobics. Your brain also needs to keep active. New pathways are developed when you learn something new. Even activities as simple as crosswords and puzzles help keep the brain strong.
Diet. Brain-healthy foods include blueberries, nuts and seeds, wild salmon and avocado.
Make sure they are getting a good night’s sleep. Address any sleep issues they may be experiencing.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Home Care Services Provider
If you find your parent needs help with the daily activities of living such as bathing or dressing, consider obtaining the services of a home care services provider. They can assist with these activities as well as prepare brain-healthy meals and share them with your aging parent, providing that all important health-promoting ingredient: companionship.
Resources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255511.php
