Ok, so as we get older, we start to forget things. We also forgot things when we were young but it's more pronounced when we are really starting to age. All I can speak to is my experience. My husband and I have so many arguments about who told who what and when....it gets silly. So, in some ways, we are learning patience. That's good....right? We continue in this realization that we do forget more now......and after some thought, we decided that we should just laugh about it. Now we have to write most things down.....appointments, meetings, grandchildren's soccer games, etc. I've still got the birthdays ok, so far. Another good way to remember is that if you both go to doctor appointments and things like that, you and your spouse will be able to help each other remember....you remember one part and your spouse remembers the other part...etc. So start doing things together when you can and that will also bring you closer together as partners.
Writing can be a really good thing. If you write down appointments and soccer games, etc., you get to where you need to be but......what if you write in a journal. Write down things about your day, your thoughts about things that are going on.......that might do a couple of things. It will help you remember what you did in your yesterdays and what a good time you had....but, it will also exercise your brain in doing the writing and keep it in your memory longer. Now, you can write long-hand or you can type or use the computer. Whatever way you choose to write.....getter' done.
Also, playing games help exercise your brain. We play Rummikub....it's a numbers game and you have to think about how and where to move tiles. Solitare also makes you think a little. SkipBo is a good card game that you have to use some thinking. I'm sure there's many more great games to keep your mind active.
I think continuing education is a good way to keep your mind working well. If you've ever wanted to study something or get a degree in something, now's the time and it may help keep your mind working better.
There's one more thing I want to tell you. My husband talked with his doctor about his memory loss and his doctor said that there's really no way to tell if a person might have alzheimers or dementia. He suggested that he try "aricept". You've probably heard about it on television. Apparently, even college students are trying to get hold of aricept because it helps you think clearer and remember better. It is one of the most misused drugs on campus. So, my husband tried it and he thinks that everyone should take it. He says his thinking is much clearer and his plan is to never be without it again. The doctor in a later visit suggested another pill that goes along with aricept and helps with the aricept. This medicine is called "namenda". My husband has not been diagnosed with alzheimer's or any kind of dementia but his doctor thought it would help and it has. Be sure and talk to your doctor about these medicines. It is important to note that these medicines don't help the day or the day after you take them....they have to be taken for two or three weeks before you can be sure how they are working. You may go on to a couple of websites that may be of help....one is "namenda.com" and the other is "aricept.com".
Now, one more thing, there aren't too many advantages to having memory loss but my husband and I discovered one. We do a lot of tv watching and during the "off" season, the networks put on re-runs. We have never been too happy with this but what choice do we have. Now that our memories are not as good, we remember that we have seen a program but we don't remember what is going to happen next, so, we get to watch re-runs over again and it's almost like seeing them for the first time...Well, you have to laugh at it but it's better than crying....
Writing can be a really good thing. If you write down appointments and soccer games, etc., you get to where you need to be but......what if you write in a journal. Write down things about your day, your thoughts about things that are going on.......that might do a couple of things. It will help you remember what you did in your yesterdays and what a good time you had....but, it will also exercise your brain in doing the writing and keep it in your memory longer. Now, you can write long-hand or you can type or use the computer. Whatever way you choose to write.....getter' done.
Also, playing games help exercise your brain. We play Rummikub....it's a numbers game and you have to think about how and where to move tiles. Solitare also makes you think a little. SkipBo is a good card game that you have to use some thinking. I'm sure there's many more great games to keep your mind active.
I think continuing education is a good way to keep your mind working well. If you've ever wanted to study something or get a degree in something, now's the time and it may help keep your mind working better.
There's one more thing I want to tell you. My husband talked with his doctor about his memory loss and his doctor said that there's really no way to tell if a person might have alzheimers or dementia. He suggested that he try "aricept". You've probably heard about it on television. Apparently, even college students are trying to get hold of aricept because it helps you think clearer and remember better. It is one of the most misused drugs on campus. So, my husband tried it and he thinks that everyone should take it. He says his thinking is much clearer and his plan is to never be without it again. The doctor in a later visit suggested another pill that goes along with aricept and helps with the aricept. This medicine is called "namenda". My husband has not been diagnosed with alzheimer's or any kind of dementia but his doctor thought it would help and it has. Be sure and talk to your doctor about these medicines. It is important to note that these medicines don't help the day or the day after you take them....they have to be taken for two or three weeks before you can be sure how they are working. You may go on to a couple of websites that may be of help....one is "namenda.com" and the other is "aricept.com".
Now, one more thing, there aren't too many advantages to having memory loss but my husband and I discovered one. We do a lot of tv watching and during the "off" season, the networks put on re-runs. We have never been too happy with this but what choice do we have. Now that our memories are not as good, we remember that we have seen a program but we don't remember what is going to happen next, so, we get to watch re-runs over again and it's almost like seeing them for the first time...Well, you have to laugh at it but it's better than crying....
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