by Heidi Peaster

Created on: June 07, 2010

My mom always said that the one thing she did not want to lose in her elder years was the sharpness of her mind.  Unfortunately, she developed dementia, but in spite of that, she continued to fight the good fight and, even at the end, she never lost her blithe personality.

There are some things that we all can do to help our chances to keep a clear head even in the latest of late life.

* Keep interested.  Keep up with what is going on all around you, from current events to what the birds are doing out on the bird feeder.  There is a lovely eighty-year-old lady in our tiny town, a career activist, who has subscriptions to several national newspapers and magazines, reads voraciously, and has opinions about it all.  That’s the way to go.

* Keep moving.  Your brain needs oxygen.  A good walk in your daily routine will work wonders to get the blood pumping and your breathing deep.  Getting outside everyday and widening your horizons gives your brain the bigger picture rather than limiting yourself to the TV screen.

* Eat right.  All the things that your mother told you about vitamins and minerals and fresh fruits and vegetables are still true.  Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about your particular nutritional needs and then keep away from processed food as much as you can.

* Drink plenty of water.  Dehydration is notorious for sneaking up on you and making you feel foggy, headachy and disoriented.  Get a good, solid water bottle and drink even when you don’t feel thirsty.

* Exercise your brain.  Get creative with words or do crossword puzzles.  You can almost feel your brain percolating and the neurons firing.  Get familiar with the computer, too.  The internet is a great way to expand your mind as well as keeping your finger on the pulse of the world.

* Keep involved.  If you have always gone to church, or out with your friends on a certain day keep doing it.  If you decide to change from one particular activity, replace it with another.  Whatever you do, don’t just stay in, letting your circle of outside influences narrow down to the grocer and the doctor. 

An even better connection is to do something on a regular basis for someone else.  From helping kids at the local school with their homework to helping at the thrift store, making an impact on your community and the world gives you a lift like no other.  And you meet some neat people, too.

* Keep up with your doctor.  Voice any concerns you may have about any changes in your capacity to remember or concentrate.  There are new breakthroughs in medicine all the time, and also more attention being paid to natural benefits of vitamin and mineral supplements.

There are people who are sharp as tacks well up into their eighties, nineties and beyond.  With some concentration, you could be one of those.

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