Do you have trouble remembering your grocery list or your child’s phone number? Memory issues become common as you age, though some issues are an average part of senior living and others are more extreme. Dementia is one condition with symptoms that can severely influence a senior’s daily life. 

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term encapsulating personality, intellectual functionality, and memory changes that can stem from disease or trauma to the brain. Because dementia results in learning difficulties and trouble remembering new information, dementia can interfere with an individual’s ability to live independently. It can also strain personal relationships, as dementia hinders social skills and problem solving abilities.

What's the Difference Between Regular Memory Changes & Dementia?

As people age, some memory changes or even memory loss are considered normal. For example, seniors might have trouble paying attention to tasks or people, remembering past events or information, or reacting to problems. However, symptoms of dementia are more serious. People with this memory disorder may act inappropriately or have trouble thinking conceptually. In severe cases, people with dementia may neglect personal hygiene, suffer from hallucinations, and lose their ability to communicate entirely.

How Can You Slow Its Progression?

If you catch dementia in its earliest stages, you can make lifestyle changes and seek treatment to slow its progression. Most doctors recommend keeping up with regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and getting a lot of sleep to keep dementia at bay. To slow the cognitive deterioration, make sure you or your loved one remain engaged in social spheres—isolation can speed up the progression of dementia, while talking to relatives and making new friends will strengthen the brain. It also pays to exercise the brain in addition to the body by reading, solving math problems, and playing games like sudoku or crossword puzzles.

If you or a loved one has dementia, you might benefit from an enriched housing facility. The Northfield a Family Service Communities is a senior living center in Fairport, NY, that is dedicated to helping seniors live more fulfilling lives. With their amenities and services, such as pet-friendly apartments and recreation activities, seniors can strengthen their bodies and minds and maintain a thriving social life. To learn more about this senior living community, call (585) 377-1810 and ask for a tour. You can also visit their website to learn more about their unique offerings.