Everyone has the occasional “senior moment.” Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why, or can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but aging alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline. When significant memory loss occurs among older people, it is generally not due to aging but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness.
Studies have shown that you can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some basic good health habits:
• staying physically active
• having good social connections
• limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day
• eating a healthy diet.
Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active.
The University of Illinois extension serving Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby Counties is hosting a Wits Fitness brain exercise class using the videoconferencing platform Zoom. The class is on Monday, Aug. 3 from 10-11:30 a.m. and all you will need is some paper and a pen or pencil. You will work on puzzles that will be done audibly or on the screen. You will also need a computer (desktop or laptop), tablet, or smartphone to access the Zoom application.
— to jg-tc.com
