Optimizing Memory Function

Cognitive function is an essential feature of successful aging, affecting our ability to communicate and interact and influencing our quality of life, functional independence, and risk of institutionalization. Sustaining brain health and cognitive function throughout a lifetime is important to allow someone to maximize their overall ability and independence.

Each moment of each day, we make choices that can affect our brain health and cognitive function in terms of our diet, physical and cognitive activity, social networks, substance use and the management of our health. Our challenge is to increase our choices that promote a healthy brain.

There is no specific prescription that works across the board, but experts talk about the following strategies being beneficial:

• Minimizing risk factors for poor brain health and function
• Optimizing your health and medications
• Making appropriate lifestyle adjustments:
  • Diet
  • Activity
  • Stress Reduction
  • Social  stimulation
• Stimulating your Brain
• Ensuring good communication between you and others
• Use of memory aides
• Creating an enabling environment
• Use of appropriate technology