Senior Care News

Forgetfulness and Aging: When Is it a Problem?

Senior Home Care in Memorial TX
Senior Home Care in Memorial TX

Forgetfulness is not unusual at all for people of any age. It’s often dismissed as part of growing older, but that doesn’t mean that bigger problems are on the way. Occasional memory lapses are normal. There are signs that forgetfulness is actually something to be concerned about, however. Senior home care providers can help seniors to manage their forgetfulness, whether it’s normal or a sign of something bigger.

Normal Forgetfulness

It’s normal for people to experience occasional lapses in memory. Forgetting where they left something or losing someone’s name are examples of small memory lapses that probably aren’t a big deal. Other examples of normal forgetfulness could include small struggles to recall specific information or difficulty with multitasking. These types of challenges might be more frequent when someone is tired or hungry. They also are likely to occur only once in a while.

Problems with Forgetfulness

Other situations raise more of a red flag about memory problems. When memory loss is a consistent, common problem, it’s more likely to cause problems in daily life. Forgetting appointments and events regularly is not a good sign, for instance. It’s also a problem when seniors have trouble completing familiar tasks that they’ve handled lots of times before. Trouble with judgment or around time and place are other warning signs of memory issues.

Routines Can Help

One solution that can help is for seniors to adopt routines to manage forgetfulness. Having consistent daily and weekly routines reduces cognitive load and decision fatigue, which helps boost memory. Home care providers make it easier for seniors to establish and stick to routines. These daily routines can also do things like help seniors get more sleep consistently, eat healthy meals regularly, and more.

Memory Aids Also Help

Memory aids are another option for helping seniors to manage all sorts of types of forgetfulness. This can cover a lot of different types of tools, like calendars, apps with reminders, notebooks, and so much more. Remembering to use these tools can be the key to using them consistently. Senior home care providers can be a huge help for aging adults in continuing to use these tools on a daily basis.

Socialization Is Vital

Another big part of helping someone manage memory issues involves ensuring they’re not spending too much time alone. Socialization is remarkably helpful in keeping the brain healthy, strong, and engaged. When seniors have access to lots of social connections, their brains benefit. Setting up lots of visits, helping seniors to stay engaged with the community, and having home care providers available are all great ways for families to help aging adults get the social activity they need.

Forgetfulness is something that everyone battles at one time or another. But aging adults tend to worry that minor forgetfulness means something else. Having tools and strategies to manage memory issues can keep seniors on track to have better cognitive health. Senior home care providers can offer lots of support for aging adults when they’re trying to meet these goals.

If you are considering senior home care in Memorial, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

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