The only thing that comes to men without effort is old age.
We often hear people say that aging is a fact of life but feeling old is necessarily not. More than the actual age of a person, what matters more is how he or she feels inside. In recent years, one of the focus areas on aging population in the U.S. is the challenge of keeping their minds young, healthy and functional. With age, our cognitive power starts to decline, but medical experts say that this natural process can be slowed down. Below we discuss 3 efficacious remedies for cognitive decline in old people that they can try at home before opting for cognitive intervention program. 1. Get sufficient amount of sleep daily Several studies by NCBI have related the amount of sleep a person gets in a day to chances of developing cognitive decline. In one study involving cognitively healthy individuals aged 65 and above, it was found that daytime naps are associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Conversely, less than 6.5 sleep at night leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, which increase the risk of cognitive decline. These studies concluded that duration and quality of sleep are essential to counter early onset of cognitive issues such as forgetfulness, decreased ability for judgment, and declining problem-solving capacity. 2. Create regular moments of intimacy Intimate moments such as sex are known to result in better cognitive function in men and women. In another study by NCBI, 28 men and 45 women, aged between 50 and 83, who had sex weekly scored on average 2 percent higher on some cognitive tests than those who had sex monthly, and 4 percent higher than those who never had sex in a while. Private moments of companionship and intimacy that heighten brain function may be attributed to pure social or biological factors, the study said. Release of sex-related hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin seem to affect our brain functions in positive ways. 3. Engage in leisure activities Similar studies on cognitive decline revealed that active participation in all form of activities - physical, mental and social is linked to a slower rate of cognitive decline in elders. Researchers call it a ‘dose-response’ wherein the more active senior citizens remain during the latter part of their lives, the slower the rate of decline. Activities such as gardening, brisk walking (for at least 30 minutes), reading, playing puzzles and quizzes, and socialization lead to cognitive stimulation and keep one’s brain active and alert. Conclusion A proper assessment of patients suspected of cognitive decline at any stage is essential to prescribe first-line treatment involving various cognitive therapeutics methods. Even though this condition is a natural process attending one’s aging, it can progress into more serious conditions such as dementia if left unchecked. We may not be able to prevent so many diseases when they come unannounced, but it is in our hands to make them gentler, tolerable and less severe to affected individuals.
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Brooklyn
Brooklyn falls under the list of top home care assistants. Apart from being a healthcare expert and investing her time in working for renowned medical firms, she has a passion for writing too. She maintains a blog that talks extensively about home care assistance and healthcare. Archives
January 2018
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