describe some measures you can take to improve memory in an older adult who has decline in cognition?
90367
I have an older uncle who recently picked up Sudoku.  He says he thinks it has helped sharpen his mind.  He's about 60 years  old.
400203
try using images to improve your memory.  If you can connect something you want to remember with some visual mental picture sometimes it helps.  And the more ridiculous the better usually.  Example...  I want to remember a ladies name "Madge Baskum" I picture her wearing a badge and carrying a basket.   Badge Basket=Madge Baskum, it helps me anyway, hope it helps.
618629
Actually it can depend on how you mind works.  It kinda falls into these categories\n\nReading (visual)/verbal (action)\nShort term Memory/ Long term memory\nQuite/background noise\nDeep focus/ Short focus\n\nSo what you need to do if start testing yourself and seeing how you learn best.  \n\nDO YOU REMEMBER WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEN WHAT YOU READ? \n\nYES:  You should see about studying with friends so the topic can be discussed and thus fixed into you head.  Jot down concepts and information you are unclear or unsure of.  Also topic you know will be covered heavily in the test before meeting with the study group and/or friends.  Then refer to these note to make sure you discuss these when your all together.\n\nNO:  Then you can learn certain reading technique to make scanning material more effective.  And create bullet notes that you can read clearly for review.\n\nDO YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK BETTER THEN THAT LITTLE CHOIR YOU MOTHER JUST ASKED YOU TO DO? \n\n(Good short term test is getting a deck of cards.  Pull out two suits.  Lay the two suits face up in a grid pattern. (Make sure you shuffle them first).  Now look at the card, when you feel you know where everything is flip the cards face down.  Now how many pairs can you find?  The more pairs the better your short term memory is.\n\nYES: Now if you long term memory is better you'll do better reviewing the material in shorter bust but more frequently.  Say at the end of the day review the notes you took that day and the day before.  Then just before a test don't actually study. It will allow you to pull from long term memory instead of stuff you shoved into short term memory the night before.\n\nNO:  If your short term memory is best you will gain from cramming just before a test.  That does mean organization of your notes and material is more important.  It will not only make it easier for you to remember but allow you to cover material quickly.  Use note cards and highlighter when ever possible.\n\nDO YOU FEEL MORE COMPORTABLE WITH ACTIVITY GOING ON AROUND YOU? (The concept of a little noise is that the human brain actually takes a break around every 7 minutes.  The result is at these points if your in an environment your unused to, you brain will wonder off and it’s harder to get back to work.  So if you’ve been trained to focus when things are quite, you’ll study best with things are quite.  Only children tend to work best this way, because they didn’t have a busy house hold around them.  But large families always have noise in the house so children from these homes actually tend to do best with some form of back ground noise going on.\n\nYES: Then turn on some music or the TV.  It’s best if the music or TV show is old and your very familiar with it.  That way when your brain takes the little brake it can focus on the familiar and let you get right back to work. If you can’t have either of those study in a main room with people coming and going, or an old favorite of mine is to go to a park or coffee house.\n \nNO:  Turn off all distractions, like cell phones, close doors, and let everyone know you are not to be disturbed.  If there is not quite place at home go to the library or a similar minded friend’s house. \n\nDO YOU PREFER MAGAZINES OR NOVELS? DOING SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS IN ONE DAY VERSE SPENDING THE WHOLE DAY DOING 1 TASK? DO YOU ALWAYS SURF TV CHANNELS INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT ON ONE CHANNEL UNTIL SOMETHING YOU LIKE COMES ON? \n\nYES: Burst study you should always take a break between different topics.  And you shouldn't study longer then 30 minutes if possible, any longer and you start loss your effectiveness.  Take like a 30 minute to hour break and then go back to study more.\n\nNO:  For long term study gather everything you want to get done.  Have it organized in the order you wish to go through the materials.  Get everything you need to be comfortable long term, like drinks, munchies, comfortable chair, extra pape
570275
Try writing it down, rewriting it.  Put into memory flash cards so you can look at them, write 5 bullet points and try to remember them, talk about them, write about them.  Test yourself, because you probably remember more than you think.  Be positive if you are positive you tend to remember more i have found.  Take a break if you have been working to long then you won't remember anything!  Take 5 Min's get a drink something to eat.  Don't read a book though it clouds up your memory of what you need to remember it confuses all the facts!!!!!
885497
Here are some things that can cause memory problems:  sensory overload (we are inundated with too much information and our brains aren't wired for it), some medications, normal aging memory loss, depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, anxiety about the ability to remember and people getting on your case, too much to do/remember.  Seeing the psychiatrist and getting on an antidepressant that works for you will help.  If you are really worried see a neurologist for a memory test.  One thing that will help is yoga and meditation.  These help to center yourself and slow down your thoughts and find an inner peaceful place.  Then energy and thought flow is effortless.  Good luck.
388241
It's important to remember the pressing things in life, as well as the beautiful moments of the past. Here are a few simple methods which you can use to improve your memory.\n\n\n1. Put black ink at the end of your palm to remember any important thing for the next day or for that day itself. Whenever you see the black dot, you'll remember what to do.\n2. Visualize whatever you have to do as part of something you see every day. For example, if you have to give your dog some medicine, visualize your dog in your fridge every time you walk past it or look inside. This will keep your dog fresh in your mind.\n3. Write the event or task down immedietely. If you don't have a pen, one thing you can do is change the time on your watch; later on you will remember why it is set at the wrong time.\n4. Write in a diary or journal every day without fail. Even small issues should be written down -- this is a good way to make sure you don't miss anything.\n5. Leave yourself a telephone message reminding yourself of important "to do" tasks.
313668
They say to use it or lose it. Make your mind work by doing crossword puzzles, playing memory games, etc.  If that doesn't work, try the herb ginko biloba. That is supposed to help, but it takes a few weeks. So be patient.
1008740
If you want to train your memory you can use things like peg words and word association in a manner that your memory is forced to work.  There is NOT enough room here to offer everything but I have a memory course which I bought a long time ago that teaches you how to associate things in a funny or violent or zany or sexual manner to remember them.  The theory behind this is that this is what the mind seems to keep as the deepest or most intense of memories.  Also, using sounds to match the numbers 0 to 9 can allow you to remember things like dates and lists and so on.  ONCE you do these training excersises you not only have a few good memory techniques, but your mind actually improves as per its memory because you are "using it" or "excercizing" it. Incidently, if you are wondering about Ginko Biloba or other herbs, there is little evidence to show that this helps the mind - and it is expensive.  If it were cheap, I would say go for it.  Apparently eating fish helps because of the vitamin and mineral and fatty acids in fish.  You should look up health FOOD and MEMORY to see what FOOD (not supplements so to speak) helps keep the brain or mind healthy.
595376
try this and don't laugh. my grandma told me she read this and it helped her alot. i was doing it for a while but I kept forgeting to do it lol. all you do is tell yourself "my memory is getting better." just like that like 10-15 times a day. "my long term memory is getting better" "i am remembering things more." its really easy and for some reason it works. this can apply to other things too. Try it out. what harm can happen. enjoy. as for studying i can't help you with that one. I have ADD and it kills me to study because I just can't do it.
582594
Well it depends on if you want to improve your long term memory or your short term memory - they're separate entities.  I suggest looking into some psychology texts in your local library.\n\nMemory is all about practise - it's like learning your times tables when you're young.  Repetition is a good way to do it, but is more suited to memorising something specific.\n\nRemove as many outside distractions as possible when trying to learn something, or else your focus will be split in several directions.
897097
One thing you can do is write portions of your routes on flash cards and review them over and over.\n\nThis site has a lot of suggestions for techniques for improving your memory:\nhttp://www.mindtools.com/memory.html
1163994
The following nutritional supplements may help restore and maximize memory:\n• L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC). Studies have shown that acetylcarnitine can improve memory function in the elderly. It can even reverse memory loss in some patients who have early Alzheimer’s disease.\n• Phosphatidylserine (100 mg three times per day). Phosphatidylserine probably works by lowering stress hormone levels and increasing the availability of acetylcholine. This supplement may help improve brain function in patients suffering from age-related memory loss.\n• Vitamin E (400–800 IU per day). A strong antioxidant, vitamin E protects memory cells from free-radical damage.\n• Omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon per day) and fish oil capsules are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 enriched eggs are available in some places.\n• Thiamine (3–8 g per day). Treat a vitamin B1 deficiency with supplements. Thiamine/vitamin B1 is a good antioxidant and may also improve mental function in Alzheimer’s patients.\n• Methylcobalamin (1,000 micrograms twice daily). Methylcobalamine is the preferred supplemental form of cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12. Many Alzheimer’s patients have been found to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.\n\nThe following herbs may help reverse memory loss and/or improve mental performance:\n• Ginkgo biloba extract (24% ginkgo flavonglycosides: 80 mg three times per day) is the herb most well known for its ability to improve memory function. Ginkgo works by improving the circulation of blood to the brain. It is also a strong antioxidant. Therefore, it can slow down memory loss associated with normal aging or due to degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies have demonstrated that ginkgo helps improve thinking and concentration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.\n• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica: 70 mg taken twice daily). This herb helps improve memory by increasing blood circulation to the brain and keeps blood vessels strong and healthy.\n• Ginseng. Studies have shown that ginseng can improve memory and enhance learning ability. The recommended dosage of Korean ginseng is 3–9 g per day. Because ginseng may elevate blood pressure, patients with heart disease or high blood pressure should consult with their doctor before using this herb.\n• Brahmi (Bacopa monniera. Brahmi is a herb native to India that is used in Ayurvedic medicine and Japanese medicine as a nerve tonic and treatment for insomnia. It appears to improve a person’s ability to retain new learning. Brahmi, which is sometimes called bacopa in Western countries, contains two compounds known as bacosides A and B. It is thought that these chemicals help to prevent memory loss by improving the efficiency of impulse transmission between nerve cells in the brain. An Australian study published in 2002 reported on the effects of brahmi on 76 human subjects. It showed that brahmi has a significant effect on people’s ability to remember new information, although it does not affect a person’s ability to retrieve information that was known prior to the experiment.
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Focus FActor.\nGinko Biloba helps improve short term memory.\nBlueberries are good for memory.\nThis may sound silly, but there is an ingredient called aluminum chloryl hydrate. This is found in MANY deodorants. It is absorbed into the bloodstream & goes to the brain where it destroys memory. Find a deodorant that does not have this in it.\nAlso, stop cooking with aluminum pots/pans. And don't use aluminum foil, if you can help it.\nOmega 3 (Fish oil) is helpful.\nAn anti-oxidant supplement along with a good protein supplement will help improve memory.
247521
Memory is something that has to be trained. The more time you spend working on learning things the better you will learn them.\n\nOther than that, don't cram, study consistently throughout the semester and study in small increments of like 1/2 an hour to an hour. Then take a break before coming back to it.
881044
Just sit back a moment...maybe even get up for a few minutes and come back. I think your brain should be rejuvenated now. Come back and focus on the thing you need to get memorized. Say it out loud works for me, along with writing and trying to write from memory. If it's not important to get word for word down, write out what's important.\n\nIt's also helpful to break things down in paragraphs, one point at a time. When one is memorized, move on to the next, and review.
423040
Write it down, then repeat it over and over at least seven times.  Close your eyes and try to visualize what you are trying to memorize.  Associate it with a picture, color, or person, anything that may help you recall.
645043
You have better memory for things that really matter to you. Think about the experiences in your life that you really remember, both good and bad. Strong emotions, right?!\n\nSo...\n\n1. Find personal value in the information you need to know for your exams.\n2. Get enough rest.\n3. Find ways to think about the information you need in terms of your own life and activities.\n4. Eat healthy.\n5. Stop web surfing and start reading your materials for your classes, already.