Back to School for Seniors: Ongoing Mental Activity Helps Prevent Memory Loss

OMAHA, Nebraska — Over the years, research has demonstrated that the key for seniors to maintain their memory and mental function is to keep their minds active and challenged. Like the rest of the body, the brain can benefit from daily exercise to keep functioning at its best. As children across the nation are preparing to learn new things and make more memories in the coming school year, so to can seniors embark on their own path to staying mentally sharp.

“One of the common misconceptions about aging is that memory definitely fades over time,” said Allen Hager, Founder of the Omaha office of Right at Home. “Studies have shown, however, that seniors can benefit from participating in activities that engage and stimulate their minds to help improve memory. Seniors can take inspiration from this ‘back to school’ time of year to make a commitment to better mental fitness.”

According to Hager, slowing the onset or progression of age-related memory loss is critical in helping seniors maintain independence, retain valuable social connections and remain secure in their homes.

Hager recommends the following ways for seniors to flex their mental muscles and aid memory from the Johns Hopkins Memory Resource Center:

• Choose activities that stimulate the mind such as crossword puzzles, games, studying a foreign language, dancing, reading or playing a musical instrument. It’s never too late for seniors to learn or try something new. Many senior centers offer classes that allow seniors to develop different skills and talents.


• Establish a place to put glasses, keys and other frequently misplaced items so that they can always be found in the same spot.


• Express thoughts out loud to give an extra reminder about the task when recalled later. Saying “I’ve locked the front door” helps put seniors’ minds at ease when turning in for the night and they are able to remember that they’ve already done it.


• Use memory aids such as a notepads, voice recorders and alarms to keep track of information. Seniors can also devise systems to remember groups of items by turning them into acronyms (using the first letter of each item) or stories that connect each item to each other.