MEMORY....
Memory may be the most important skill you have. It doesn't just allow you to reminisce about your experiences, but do everything that you had to learn at one point—from holding up your head to speaking your native language. Check out the articles below as well as our brain resources to find out more about the many types of memory and how to keep your memory strong.
Alzheimer's is a real concern, but we needn't fear that every slip is a sure sign. Memory loss
happens to all adults, and only in some cases does it signal a serious
condition. Here are a few definitions of the common causes of memory
loss in maturity.
Normal Age-Related Cognitive Changes
Studies confirm that the ability to remetmber details about our experiences, to manipulate multiple bits of information at the same time, and to identify the source of what we have learned often declines as we get older. This process actually begins as early as age 30, though it accelerates and becomes more noticeable after age 50. Although these cognitive changes can be annoying—and ultimately, can limit your activities and interests—they are part of normal aging. Recent research has indicated that keeping your mind engaged in new and challenging activities can help to prevent or reverse this normal "cognitive decline."
Memory may be the most important skill you have. It doesn't just allow you to reminisce about your experiences, but do everything that you had to learn at one point—from holding up your head to speaking your native language. Check out the articles below as well as our brain resources to find out more about the many types of memory and how to keep your memory strong.
Types of Memory
Memory actually takes many different forms. We know that when we store a memory, we are storing information. But, what that information is and how long we retain it determines what type of memory it is. The biggest categories of memory are short-term memory (or working memory) and long-term memory, based on the amount of time the memory is stored. Both can weaken due to age, or a variety of other reasons and clinical conditions that affect memory.
Memory Lapses
People of all ages experience inconvenient—and sometimes embarrassing—memory lapses. Who hasn't forgotten where they parked their car? But when older people are forgetful, many begin to worry that the slip-ups are precursors of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
Normal Age-Related Cognitive Changes
Studies confirm that the ability to remetmber details about our experiences, to manipulate multiple bits of information at the same time, and to identify the source of what we have learned often declines as we get older. This process actually begins as early as age 30, though it accelerates and becomes more noticeable after age 50. Although these cognitive changes can be annoying—and ultimately, can limit your activities and interests—they are part of normal aging. Recent research has indicated that keeping your mind engaged in new and challenging activities can help to prevent or reverse this normal "cognitive decline."
