So it’s worth spotting them whether you are concerned about mild cognitive impairment or caring for someone with full-blown Alzheimers.Įvery older adult and family should know how to optimize brain function. What especially troubles me is that most of these older adults - and their families - have no idea that many have been linked to developing dementia, or to worsening of dementia symptoms. Sometimes it’s truly necessary but often it’s not. And I can’t tell you how often I find that seniors are taking over-the-counter or prescription medications that dampen their brain function. Unfortunately, many older adults are unaware of this recommendation. Identifying and reducing such medications is a mainstay of geriatrics practice.Īnd the expert authors of the National Academy of Medicine report on Cognitive Aging agree: in their Action Guide for Individuals and Families, they list “ Manage your medications” among their “Top 3 actions you can take to help protect your cognitive health as you age.” And you should do it because it ends up making a difference for brain health and quality of life.įirst among them: identify medications that make brain function worse. Wrong. In fact, there is a lot that can and should be done, if you notice memory or thinking changes in yourself or in another older adult. “But you know, nothing much that can be done at my age,” remarked one man in his eighties. And a few were older adults who have noticed some slowing down of their own memory. Some were adult children concerned about the memory of their parents. Some were older adults concerned about the memory of their spouses. A few years ago, while I was at a family celebration, several people mentioned memory concerns to me.
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