Decreased Memory in Older Adults
When a person has entered the elderly phase, naturally the
body's functions will decrease, including in terms of memory, or often referred
to as dementia.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a condition of loss of intellectual abilities
that prevents social relations and functions in everyday life. Dementia is a
degenerative disease that often attacks people over 60 years old.
Dementia occurs due to damage to brain cells where the
nervous system can no longer carry information into the brain, thus making a
setback on memory, progressive skills, emotional disorders, and behavior
changes (Pieter and Janiwarti, 2011).
Nearly 55% of people with dementia are caused by
Alzheimer's, 25-35% due to stroke and 10-15% due to other causes. Many people
with dementia can be treated even though very few of them can be cured (Asrori
and Putri, 2014).
Symptoms of dementia
The main symptom in people with dementia is a decrease in
memory and changes in the mindset that is visible and the way someone speaks.
These symptoms will continue to deteriorate over time.
Here are 5 stages of symptoms that appear in people with
dementia:
- First
stage
At this stage the patient still has a normal brain function
so that the symptoms are not yet visible.
- Second stage
People
with dementia will begin to be disturbed by their activities. For example, they
will have difficulty in terms of multitasking (doing various activities at a
time), difficult to make decisions, difficulty solving problems, easily
forgetting, and difficulty in choosing the right words.
- Third Stage
At this stage the patient will experience organic mental
disorders. They will get lost when passing through the usual path, difficult to
capture new information, be in a flat mood that is flat and less excited, and
experience various personality problems and decreased social abilities.
- Fourth
stage
When entering the fourth stage, people with dementia will have difficulty
doing their daily activities so that they really need the help of others. For
example, they will need the help of others to eat, dress, even shower. Patients
will also experience sleep disorders, difficulty reading and writing, being
apathetic, withdrawing from the social environment, hallucinating, irritable,
and being rude.
- Fifth
stage
When entering this stage, people with dementia will rely on others throughout their lives.
Patients will lose their basic abilities, such as sitting or walking, do not
experience family, and do not understand language.
Tips to prevent
dementia
Dementia causes the disruption of a person’s memory and thought process.
Thus, prevention of dementia can be done by increasing memory and concentration
through the application of a healthy lifestyle with the objectives of health
and brain function is maintained and fulfilled nutrients.
Here are some healthy life tips that you can apply:
1. Pay attention to nutritional intake
The brain needs nutritious food intake so that it can
function optimally. Increase food consumption, such as green vegetables, fish,
green tea, and nuts, so that the brain function is more maintained. Consumption
of alcoholic drinks must also be limited. A study shows that the habit of
consuming excessive amounts of alcoholic drinks, can have a negative impact on
the cognitive function or the process of thinking and memory of a person.
2. Sports
It is recommended to do light exercise such as walking,
running lightly, or swimming for about 30 minutes every day. Lack of regular
physical activity can increase the risk of heart disease, overweight or
obesity, and diabetes which can cause higher risk of dementia.
3. Brain exercise
In addition to maintaining nutrition and exercise, the brain
also needs to be trained so that its abilities are maintained. Brain exercises
can be done in several ways such as reading, filling crossword puzzles, playing puzzles and chess, testing memories
by memorizing images, or learning to play musical instruments.
4. Getting used to organizing small things
Very often someone forgets the item because it is placed in
any place. Therefore, try to tidy up private items around. Starting from small
things, such as putting items back in place, writing a daily agenda, and get rid of unused items. This will make the brain more
focused, so memory is maintained.
5. Adequate rest
When sleeping, a person's memory will rearrange information
from things that have happened. Enough rest will make the body feel fit and
avoid stress. Usually, adults need about 7-9 hours to sleep. In addition,
quality sleep can also help to remember and learn something new.
6. Active socializing
Active socializing and establishing communication, for
example with friends and closest
people, is a way to improve effective memory.
Gathering with them allows free from stress and depression. Both of these
conditions are very closely related to the cause of decreased memory. In some
conditions, the use of drugs or supplements can also be done to improve memory.
However, this needs to be consulted with a doctor to ensure the effectiveness
and risks that can arise.
***
Editorial Team: Amir Syarifudin, Azyza Tian Yustisiningrum, Farah Amaliah, Fatina Aqilah, Muhamad Agam Hidayat, Willa Cahyadewi
Abdillah. A. (2019). Pengaruh Pendidikan Kesehatan Terhadap
Perilaku Pencegahan Demensia Pada Lansia. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Keperawatan P-ISSN
: 2085-5931 e-ISSN : 2623- 2871
Alodokter.com (2022, 7 april). https://www.alodokter.com/demensia
Alodokter.com. (2021, 7 Mei).
Suwarni, S., S. Setiawan, and M.M.J.J.K.F. Syatibi, Hubungan
usia demensia dan kemampuan fungsional pada lansia. 2017. 2(1): p. 34-41.
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