[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by waterflower

Research Nootropics -are a class of substances that improve brain function. Also referred to as neuro-enhancers, cognitive boosters, or memory enhancers. Detox heavy metals. Do not cook with aluminum or in deodorant. No fluoride.This is a start.

All the food that my parents cooked for me as a child and teen was cooked on aluminum cookware, which was considered more MODERN than the OLD cast iron at the time (40s to 60s). But, I believe that it was NOT good.

[jimjamuser]

One thing that has NOT been mentioned much IS the fact that as seniors, many of us take prescription medications. And, they all have some side effects, many of which are to slow down the cognitive and memory functions.............I know I have some prescriptions.
.......A sleeping pill will slow your word-retrieval skills down in the morning.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by lmack

A lot of good referrals in here. I’d like to share that my husband was having some word search issues a couple years ago and I read an article that talked about the brain like a muscle that we need to exercise (especially as we age). It suggested things like reading and puzzles (multiple kinds of puzzles, not just one) as exercise. Hubby has been doing that ever sense and is much improved. As others have said, seniors often experience some word search issues so he still does but much less. And, his ample vocabulary when young has been returning and he can wiz thru a crossword now (almost like his younger years) and only likes the hard sudoku now.

So, I’m certainly not saying ignore the issues. Discuss with a dr (as he did also). But you might also benefit from some ‘exercising your brain’ puzzles too.

Good post!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LG999

Are you talking to as many people as you used to? If not, try to call a few people each day and look for places you can engage people in conversation.

Maybe get a parrot................Actually, a lot of older people talk to their dogs. It might help a tiny bit. Plus a forced schedule of walking and saying hi to and talking to other dog owners.

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I'm 65. I have always had, and used a pretty expansive vocabulary- not scholarly but enough to be sure I was understood. I could hold my own in a variety of social situations.

For the past few years I have a lot of trouble finding words. I find that my conversations are now lacking the 'big' words I used to use. When I'm talking, a word that would normally be immediately available to me is now a blank space in my mind, and I instead use a basic word. An example: While talking I might use the 'Expansive" (as in my 1st sentence above), but when I draw a blank I'll instead say, "Big". This problem is not quite so bad when I'm typing.

So, are these lapses on the spectrum Senior Moments?

We are in our mid 70's, and have been experiencing what you have described for the past several years. I believe it is, for the most part, normal. Just as the physical body begins to slow down, wouldn't it be normal for the brain to slow down as well. Of course, this would vary from person to person. I think post # 5 gives an accurate description of the subject in question. Personally, I would not seek any testing unless "I found my car keys but I forgot what they are for".

[ndf888]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

My wife and I were tested by them last year and plan to do it again soon.

No cost and think they give a pretty good test on your cognitive functions.

Also medicare wellness test also tests for this but not as complete as Charter Research.

I took a free test at Charter Research and it was very comprehensive. I also took a tau blood test for Alzheimer they offer.

[sharonl7340]

No one mentions taking magnesium (400mg) for this. I went to a neurologist a couple of years ago with this same issue. She recommended 400mg of magnesium. I also suggest B12 supplement, but look to see the type of B12. It needs to be Methylcobalamin.

[virtualcynthia]

Thank you for this post. Is there anyway to save or print this thread. So much great information. I want to save and share.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jswirs

We are in our mid 70's, and have been experiencing what you have described for the past several years. I believe it is, for the most part, normal. Just as the physical body begins to slow down, wouldn't it be normal for the brain to slow down as well. Of course, this would vary from person to person. I think post # 5 gives an accurate description of the subject in question. Personally, I would not seek any testing unless "I found my car keys but I forgot what they are for".

As to "varying from person to person" - I agree. Jimmy Carter's brain has NOT seemed to slow down. I wish I were more like him. The other day I met a man at the swimming pool that was age 87 and said that he took ZERO prescription drugs. I wish I were more like him.

[ithos]

....

[ithos]

Genetics can have a influence on being afflicted with dementia but a healthy diet and lifestyle will have a major impact on preventing and mitigating its terrible consequences. Of course it takes a strong commitment.

I am referencing this article in part because our medical system primarily focuses on pills, surgery or any other treatment that is financially profitable.

Preventing Alzheimer’s: Our Most Urgent Health Care
Priority - PMC

The prevalence of dementia is 1 in 10 individuals older than 65 years and increases to 50% of all individuals older than 85 years.

We now know that complex real-life activities around one’s passion and purpose, such as challenging jobs, learning musical instruments, and speaking multiple languages, are most effective in optimizing mental processes and building cognitive reserve and brain capacity.

Sleep has a critical role in promoting brain health. Research over the past decade has documented that sleep disturbances have a powerful influence on the risk for developing neurodegenerative disease.

The most important factor of all for brain health and resilience as we age appears to be cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve represents the redundancy of neuronal connections achieved through cognitively challenging activities that force the neurons to make significantly more axonal connections than when not challenged

Everything we consume has an energy coefficient because it produces a certain amount of energy in our body. The quality of food based on its nutrient density can profoundly affect the brain at the cellular and genetic levels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3DSwbCYOwI&t=22s

[Cheapbas]

Originally Posted by YeOldeCurmudgeon

What makes you think it works? Not doubting you, just wondering what it is that makes you think that?

my thought process is calmer. Answers, ideas, thoughts seem to flow in or be readily available where previously it seemed like I’d have a blank or brain freeze.

[yporter]

Originally Posted by virtualcynthia

Thank you for this post. Is there anyway to save or print this thread. So much great information. I want to save and share.

If you are comfortable on a pc, I recommend using copy & paste into a text file, then saving that text file under a meaningful name in a directory/folder that you know has info. I have done that since I found this chat board, and have a folder labeled ContractorNNServicesRefs that is full of text files (named things like Electricians, Plumbers, GarageDoors, etc) that has lists of people recommended on this forum so when I need to call someone to fix something, I don't have to start searching then. I have found that often the Search function doesn't give me pointers to the same posts I read in the past.

I do the same thing (copy & paste into a text file to save info) when I run across info that I know I want to send to people, or refer to at a future date. I have already done that with info from this thread, since both myself and my husband are in the same 'missing words' stage and have greatly appreciated everyone's responses and plan to follow up on many of the posted suggestions. Thanks to all!

[jswirs]

No one here has mentioned drinking of alcohol. I think alcohol may accelerate loss of memory and cognitive ability.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jswirs

No one here has mentioned drinking of alcohol. I think alcohol may accelerate loss of memory and cognitive ability.

I would agree that beer, whiskey, and vodka are bad for cognition. Small daily amounts of red wine are likely good for a person.