Memory and the Aging Brain: How Brain Training Improves Memory As You Age

Forgetting someone’s name, misplacing your wallet, having trouble remembering where you parked your car or the time of your doctor’s appointment….

These are all examples of what age-related memory loss can look like. If you find yourself forgetting things more often than you used to, you’re not alone. It’s normal to experience some memory loss as we get older.

But that doesn’t mean you are doomed to ever-increasing memory problems for the rest of your life. There are ways to support and improve your memory as you age.

The brain has the capacity to continue learning and growing well into old age. But in the same way that you need regular physical exercise to keep your body strong, you need to actively work to strengthen memory skills and related cognitive skills like attention and processing speed. 

That’s where brain training with LearningRx comes in.

Read on to learn more about age-related memory loss, ways to support your memory at home, and how brain training improves memory by strengthening core cognitive skills.

Some Memory Changes Are Normal as You Age

Experiencing minor memory lapses is a normal part of aging. Those lapses don’t necessarily mean that something more serious is going on (such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia).

Our brains change as we age, and it’s normal to experience mild memory loss in certain areas. For instance, the following memory skills can decrease slightly or slow down as you age:

• Episodic memory (the “what,” “where,” and “when” details of day-to-day life)
• Long-term memory
• Information processing and ability to learn new things
• Multi-tasking abilities

Every individual is different, and normal age-related memory loss can differ from person to person. But in general, small, gradual changes in these memory skills are normal.

Other types of memory stay static or continue to improve as we get older, including semantic memory (the ability to remember concepts and general facts, such as vocabulary and language) and procedural memory (the ability to remember how to do things).

Possible Contributors to Memory Loss

Even if your memory troubles are more significant, it still may not be an indicator of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Many other physical and psychological conditions affect our memory, such as:

• Anxiety or depression
• Dehydration
• Infections
• Side effects of certain medications
• Poor nutrition
• Stress
• Substance abuse
• Thyroid imbalance

If these conditions are present, treating them can help relieve memory issues. Talk to your doctor and/or a psychologist about addressing these issues.

Memory Aids Can Help You Remember Important Things

As you begin to experience age-related memory glitches, incorporating memory aids into your life can help you remember important things. Support your memory skills by:

Using to-do lists

Make yourself lists of what you need to do and keep them in places where you’ll see them often. Marking off items as you complete them can give you a sense of accomplishment and a boost of confidence as well as help your memory.

Keeping a calendar

Whether you use a paper calendar or planner or an electronic version, keeping a calendar can help you remember important dates and appointments. Get in the habit of checking your calendar a couple of times a day.

Sticking to a routine

Establishing a routine for the things you need to do regularly can help you remember to do them. For instance, taking medicines at the same time every day will make it easier to remember to take them.

Taking your time

Don’t rush. Take the time you need to commit new things to memory and recall past memories or details.

Using mnemonic devices

Use mnemonic devices to help remember new information. For example, if you meet someone named Catherine, connect her name to a picture of a cat in your mind. Find more examples of mnemonic devices here.

Lifestyle Improvements Can Minimize Memory Loss

Another way to support your memory and overall brain health as you age is by making healthy lifestyle choices. These things can help minimize the effects of aging on your memory and improve memory function:

• Getting regular exercise. A daily brisk walk can go a long way toward boosting brain function.
• Eating a nutritious diet. A diet high in nutritious foods like whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables helps support brain health as well as overall physical health.
• Maintaining good medical health. Get regular checkups and follow your doctor’s recommendations to reduce potential medical risks.
• Having good sleep patterns and taking time to de-stress. Good sleep habits and stress management help your brain better consolidate and store memories.
• Regular social interaction helps improve your mood and your memory function.
• Strengthening cognitive skills through brain training improves memory skills and other cognitive skills associated with memory, like attention and processing speed.

LearningRx’s One-on-One Brain Training Improves Memory Skills

LearningRx’s brain training programs have improved memory skills for thousands of clients over the years. 

Brain training is not a treatment or cure for age-related memory loss. It simply gives older adults a way to work on their memory skills with exercises that target the specific cognitive skills that need improvement.

Every person’s memory is unique — no one has the same cognitive makeup. That’s why we create a customized memory training plan tailored to each client’s individual needs. 

To do this, we give each new client a Brain Skills Assessment that measures their memory skills as well as other cognitive skills closely tied to memory, such as attention and processing speed. Based on the results of that assessment, we develop a training plan that targets the specific skills the client needs to strengthen. 

In their one-on-one training sessions, our clients go through mental exercises, games, and drills that give their memory a workout. It’s much like having a personal trainer, but instead of focusing on building muscle strength, we focus on building cognitive skills.

And it works:

A study of our past clients found that adults over 50 with memory problems improved both short- and long-term memory by completing a LearningRx brain training program. More than 90% of them reported improvements to their daily lives as well!

The memory problems that come with aging can feel unsettling, even when they are minor. Brain training with LearningRx can help strengthen your memory skills, build your confidence, and enhance your everyday life. Contact us to get started with memory training today!