cognitive memory

Assignment Instructions
1. What are 5 cognitive/memory changes people go through when they age.
2. What are 6 strategies/techniques/treatments available to help with cognitive decline that is associated with aging? Name them and provide a brief description of them.

ANSWER

Cognitive Memory

Changes within the memory of a human being inevitably occur when they grow old. Cognitive aging is a challenge to the older generation, characterized by memory loss and other conditions. Understanding these age-related changes within the brain helps the medical field identify any abnormalities that may occur beyond the expected. However, there exist five basic cognitive changes people go through when they age. The first one includes a change in processing speed (Luchetti et al., 2016). Processing speed entails how faster the brain can process information and provide a response. Processing speed decrease with age, and those suffering from it may need more time to handle complex tasks. For instance, tasks like driving can be a challenge, as it is an activity that requires quick processing and response of the brain. Another problem that develops with age is memory. Memory is characterized by various sub-types including episodic memory (past events), prospective (future events), and procedural (skill learning). As a person ages, memory loss becomes a problem, and some of these memories become blurry, and future tasks or expectations are easily forgotten (Luchetti et al., 2016).

In addition, attention is also greatly affected by aging. Attention is characterized by selective attention (concentrating on relevant information), divided attention (multitasking), and sustained attention (extended time in concentration). Age affects all these attention factors, through boredom and lack of concentration (Deal et al., 2017). The fourth cognitive change entails language skills. With old age, language production declines as old people struggle to remember a word. They also struggle with speech comprehension, since the majority of them already experience hearing difficulties. The final cognitive problem associated with old age entails executive functioning.

Executive functioning is the ability to plan, organize and possess problem-solving skills that require mental flexibility (Deal et al., 2017). Young people can execute executive functioning with ease, as it also involves complex situations working in harmony. However, older people may perform executive functioning, but not as better or effective as young people. They may also take more time to finish a single planned task, and the overall performance and objective may not match a younger person’s.

However, there are various activities, techniques, and recommendations that older people may help with their cognitive decline. This includes adopting a growth mindset. This can be done through volunteering to do new skills and new hobbies like playing a musical instrument or painting. Cognitive decline can also be improved through staying physically active. According to a study conducted in 2006, physically active older adults were found to experience an increased bran volume (Youn et al., 2020). Hence, engaging in yoga, daily walks, and keeping track of the steps will help improve cognitive memory. Another technique is through managing emotional well-being. This involves avoiding stressful situations that can trigger anxiety and depression, which greatly affect memory and overall body health. Avoiding stress can be done through socializing, taking on new challenges, and practicing meditation and certain breathing techniques.

Additionally, eating healthy also improves cognitive performance. Encouraged foods include food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B, and antioxidants. These can be found in fatty fish, berries, leafy green vegetables, and tea. Eating healthily also helps with the general performance of the body (Youn et al., 2020). An older adult can also engage in restorative sleep. Sleeping is a crucial part of the elderly generation, which helps rejuvenate their bodies and keep a positive mindset. Since most of them are already retired, it is a good way of taking advantage of time and sleep. Older adults can also engage in board games with other people, especially their peers, as a way of keeping their memories fresh. They are advised to have a social life that involves challenging each other through various games (Bambini et al., 2020). Games like Bingo, monopoly, and chess help stimulate their brain and prevent cognitive decline.

References

Bambini, V., Tonini, E., Ceccato, I., Lecce, S., Marocchini, E., & Cavallini, E. (2020). How to improve social communication in aging: Pragmatic and cognitive interventions. Brain and Language, 211, 104864.

Deal, J. A., Betz, J., Yaffe, K., Harris, T., Purchase-Helzner, E., Satterfield, S., … & Health ABC Study Group. (2017). Hearing impairment and incident dementia and cognitive decline in older adults: the health ABC study. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences, 72(5), 703-709.

Luchetti, M., Terracciano, A., Stephan, Y., & Sutin, A. R. (2016). Personality and cognitive decline in older adults: Data from a longitudinal sample and meta-analysis. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 71(4), 591-601.

Youn, J. H., Park, S., Lee, J. Y., Cho, S. J., Kim, J., & Ryu, S. H. (2020). Cognitive improvement in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a multi-strategic metamemory training. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(2), 362.