As we get older, our memory sometimes slips and becomes not as sharp as it once was.

Misplacing keys, forgetting your tasks for the day or not remembering someone’s birthday can be a common occurrence among elderly individuals. It is important that you talk to a doctor if you feel that you or your loved one is experiencing more than normal memory decline due to age. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are serious conditions and should never be ruled out, unless by a medical professional. If your doctor has chalked it up to declining memory due to age, try these tips to keep your mentally sharp.

• Find a way to organize your life that will make sense, no matter what. If you have the space, hanging a key rack by your door may be a great way to make sure that you always know where your keys are. Assuming that you put your keys there when you come in the door, they will remain there until you are ready to leave. Another example is by labeling your drawers, your cupboards and your closet with the items inside. It is important that you are as organized as possible to avoid misplacing or forgetting things.
• Eat a balanced diet that will help you keep your mind sharp and your body strong. It is advised that you speak to a medical professional or nutritionist to get an exact breakdown of what your meals should contain on a daily basis, but balance is key. You should maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet to keep yourself strong and healthy as you age.
• Exercise both your body and your brain. It is advised that you are cleared by a doctor before engaging in physical activity, but by incorporating exercise in your routine, you are able to keep your body active and improve blood circulation. This can improve your memory and your brain health as you age. Just as you exercise your body, you should also exercise the mind. You or your loved one should engage in cross-word puzzles, card games or memorization games. This will keep your mind sharp and allow you to fight against memory decline as you age.

We hope that these tips and tricks will help you or your loved one maintain a sharp memory as they age. Please seek out medical attention if you or your loved one is concerned with their mental or memory health. It is important to rule out any underlying conditions that may affect memory health.

What are some of the routine medical tests for seniors?

A wide range of screening and preventive measures are available and recommended for people over the age of 65. These guidelines follow the recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and are based on extensive clinical data.

The following lists some of the important preventive and screening measures for seniors.

• Influenza vaccination
• Pneumonia vaccination
• Vaccination against shingles (60 and older; some doctors recommend starting at age 50)
• Colon cancer screening for adults between ages 50 and 75 (younger starting age in high risk groups)
• Breast cancer screening with yearly mammogram for females between 40 and 75 (younger starting age for high risk groups)
• Prostate cancer screening with annual rectal exam and PSA (prostate sensitive antigen) in males above age 50
• Osteoporosis screening with bone density scan in women above age of 65
• Lipid disorder screening yearly for men above 35 and women above 45
• Diabetes screening in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or previous high blood sugar levels with or without symptoms of diabetes
• Blood pressure screening at least once a year
• Smoking cessation counseling

Other screening tests may be recommended by doctors are:

• vision and hearing exams
• skin cancer screening
• cardiac stress tests
• thyroid function tests
• mental status exam
• peripheral vascular disease screening

It is worth noting that even though these are general health maintenance guidelines, primary care doctors may draft an individualized plan for each person based on their personal history.

Many of these tests are recommended to be performed periodically. As people get older, the benefits of detecting certain diseases may diminish, obviating the need for further screening. Accordingly, the patient’s primary physician may help guide patients with their decisions regarding recommended health screening tests.

Sometimes the possible risks associated with certain tests may outweigh the potential benefits. Therefore, there are times when the right decision for an individual is to not have further testing for certain conditions.

CINTAA Elder care shares useful information regarding healthcare on weekly basis. The post is only for information purpose only. Please check with your health care professional before using this information. To keep yourself updated with many other health tips, stay with us. We provide certified caregivers for seniors at home. If you need any help regarding eldercare, please feel free to call us today at 561-963-1915.