Virtual Team Memory Pillars Update: Perceived Control

Virtual Team Memory Pillars examined the factors that might reduce memory recall. According to research, an environment where there is low perceived control over events and circumstances can inhibit memory recall. Our research revealed that offering choices, and an environment where contribution is accepted, and where stress in minimized improves memory recall.

To join this team call Debra at 937-439-7117

Virtual Team Memory Pillars Start their Week with Memory Jogging!

Team Memory Pillars started their week off with interesting research about a program of merging memory exercises with physical exercise.  A class in mental aerobics followed by a low-impact aerobic session proved to be both fun and challenging. This was an example of a preventative program concerning cognitive loss in the older adults

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 30: Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be easier for the older adult, because they are more independent with their choices and social connectedness. Older adults are less swayed by what others think, and this may be why they are more likely to practice forgiveness. How does the brain respond to the act of forgiveness? Research indicates that acts of forgiveness positively stimulate the regions of the brain associated with socialization, such as the amygdala, which is also known to be the seat of emotion and memory.

Team Health Care Center: Vital Life Story!

This past week was so warm that we took our residents out for a stroll. One of the residents who were involved in this activity is in the late stage of his life. During our adventure down to the pond, we strolled through the woods. The woods were so full of spring life, the birds were singing, the squirrels were squawking, flowers were blooming, spring smells were in the air. This resident was given step by step instructions of what was around him; for example, the warm sun before he entered the woods, the soft wind blowing the trees around, the birds singing and the squirrels rustling around. When we finally made it to the pond he was rolled out on the deck so he would be able to hear the fish splashing around while we were feed them. He's not able to do this activity, however we still placed the food in his hands and instructed him on what we were doing, we still had to remove the food and throw it into the water for him. Keep in mind we also had higher functioning residents along with us, they also praised and encouraged this resident.

Upon returning to the facility this resident started smiling, moving his head from side to side, you could see his eye's trying to focus on what was around him. After entering the facility this resident was questioned to see if he enjoyed himself, his response were "yeah, yeah." His wife was so surprised to see the smile that never stopped; his expression on his face was priceless. I have personally been with this resident from the beginning, from being able to walk and play some sports, to sitting in this wheel chair gazing at the ceiling. When you have these little breakthroughs it’s nice, very nice.

Beth

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 29: Share Your Ideas!

Your intellectual capital or your great ideas should be shared and documented. Why? Sharing creative ideas to solve mundane or new and novel problems can help others to initiate their creative processes. This gift of wellness can also stimulate the fronto-temporal network of others, which is known for stimulating dopamine pathways that promote goal seeking and problem-solving behaviors. In fact, research indicates that sharing ideas with persons in the early stages of Alzheimer's can turn passive thought processes into a robust desire to learn something new. So give the perfect gift of wellness to others and share your ideas and creativity!

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 27: Change is Good!

Change can be good for the brain. While the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus work together to manage memory, the hippocampus is critical in forming and retrieving memories for creating new memory maps, and the cerebral cortex is specifically responsible for abstract reasoning, and storing and retrieving of memories. When our daily life involves a lot of routine, our brain becomes less active and doesn't have to work as hard to make these daily associations. Try changing simple processes, for example; if you are in a hardware store to pick up regular supplies take time to examine a new tool or unfamiliar object and the brain will benefit from this simple exercise. What are the routines that dominate your day, do you sit in the same place every day to work or eat, and do you do the same exercise, or watch the same TV shows every day? Try a small change in routine to stimulate the cerebral cortex and hippocampus to strengthen the brain and its neuroplasticity. Change is good.

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 26: Memory Loss and the Holidays

The appropriate level of social interaction for those with dementia has been shown to increase cognitive reserve or the "window of opportunity" that we may experience with our loved ones when they have recalled cherished memories or processes. The holidays are full of socialization opportunities and event-based cue retrieval episodes for the person with memory loss. These events may trigger memories that might be accurate or mistaken memories of the past. If they are mistaken memories of the past and these memories are not creating fear, agitation, or further confusion, instead of correcting the memory, validate the feeling associated with the memory. Validation therapy accepts the person from the perspective of their current reality rather than forcing an abrupt orientation to the present. Time lines can be different for the person with memory loss, and time for the person with dementia can represent the current moment, the past, or the future.

Blue Zone Your Memory No 24: Learning is More Important than Memory!

Recent research from the University of California cautions us that we may be overestimating remembering and underestimating learning. The study revealed that when test subjects studied a subject that they were familiar with, the group remembered more about the content than just relying on past or current memory about the topic. This research and others suggest that when we have trouble with word-find or recall taking the time to look up the facts about the subject may help us recall the word or facts that we are searching for.

The Quest for Emotional Wellness No. 6: Emotional Arousal and Memory

Identifying the emotions based around a memory may help identify broad aspects of a memory or event. However, if the event is negative this" flashbulb memory" may skew the information depending on the emotional arousal associated with the memory. Remembering the positive aspects of the event may be helpful in remembering more of the facts. Recent research indicates that positive memories contain more contextual information or data about the event than do unpleasant memories. Caregivers can use this information to help their loved ones recall daily preferences. For example, if someone is searching for words to describe their favorite color, ask this person how this color makes them feel. This may help the emotional arousal associated with the color bring forward enough contextual information to identify the color verbally.

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 23: Doodling!

When you are in a classroom, religious service, or meeting and you want to retain what you have heard, try doodling! This was actually proven in a recent study where 29% of test-takers performed better if they were given the option to doodle. When the brain is bored it goes on a scavenger hunt for information and this is often why daydreams or wandering thoughts are manufactured. Try doodling to keep the brain stimulated enough for the main focus of the brain to remain attentive. This will help keep the brain from becoming distracted and going on a scavenger hunt for miscellaneous information.

Blue Zone Your Memory No 9

Recognition

Have you ever sensed that you have encountered an event or information before? Something was familiar, but you were uncertain as to where the encounter occurred or where you learned the content. Did you know that recognition is a little easier than recalling concerning the details and subtle differences in particular memories? This is because recognition abilities in the brain involve different areas of the brain, which cooperate and complement the recognition process. How is this information helpful? When we experience recognition of a process, event, or place, you can add more clues to the puzzle when you research the memory using facts, figures, and pictures of places, and global events.

Blue Zone Your Memory No 6

Hydration and Brain Function

The brain is said to be made up of between 70- 80% water, and this nutrient is considered by leading health experts as one of the healthiest things that we can balance concerning our diet and brain function. The opposite of hydration is dehydration, which can increase stress hormones that can damage the brain and impair both memory and the brain's decision-making ability. To be on the safe side discuss this important nutrient with your doctor and be sure to tell him specifics, such as the medications that you take, your current weight, and how physically and mentally active you are within an average day. He can recommend the optimal water intake for you to support your lifestyle and current activity level.

Blue Zone Your Memory No 5

Shorthand Codes

To learn items that were somehow linked together in school we used mnemonic tricks such as “I before E, except after C” or this one for the planets “Mary’s Violet Eyes Makes John Stay Up Nights Pondering” (for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). You can still use this technique today for information and lists that you want to remember. Mnemonics can be fun, and they require very little effort.

Blue Zone Your Memory No 4

Mood Dependent Retrieval

Need extra cues to help yourself remember certain important events? Research has discovered that state-dependent retrieval cues may help you enhance your memory. For example, if a specific memory is fragmented, try to remember what you were feeling and what state-of-mind you were in at the time of the creation of the memory. Playing music or setting a similar tone or mood may also add to the staging of the memory retrieval.

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 2

More tips from recent research on memory are evolving as science begins to unravel why we forget. Research suggests that we should engage in distributed learning/practice. In other words, when you are reminiscing or relearning skills, space your work over several sessions. Bookmark your progress with a few notes for later recall and in the next session review before you begin. This technique has proven to be effective in recent studies and curriculum development, because the effort of recalling memories casually and without stress, creates less interference from other memories and thoughts that are competing for your attention.

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 1

Cognition and memory refer to all of our higher mental processes and are a key topic of interest as we age and try to figure out "how do we remember and how do we forget." Recent research findings indicate that forgetting is a matter of interference rather than passive decay. Evidently, there is a form of competition when trying to remember between information stored in memory. Some tips to help improve memory are to think about what you want to remember and pay close attention to details to minimize memory interference. In addition, increasing your socialization will help you minimize interference of memory because of increased clarification of details, which will make your overall memory skills even stronger. Ongoing socialization helps us to organize thoughts by minimizing interference and strengthening the brain. According to Lisa F. Berkman, director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, "the working hypothesis is that social engagement is what makes you mentally engaged."

~Debra