As you age, the nerve cells in your brain can shrink or lose connections with other nerve cells. These age-related transitions are behind the changes in cognitive function and memory. There are several ways to keep your memory strong. Play games you are not already familiar with that involve strategy, like chess or scrabble. Try daily crossword and other puzzles such as Sudoku. Read newspapers, magazines, and books that challenge you. Learn new recipes, driving routes, a musical instrument, a foreign language. Take a course in an unfamiliar subject that interests you. Take on a project that involves design and planning, such as a new garden or a quilt. The more interested and engaged your brain, the greater the benefits you’ll experience. Remember, it’s normal to be forgetful here and there, but significant memory loss is never a normal part of old age. It’s important to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing significant memory loss.

Lance Pace, Omnicare for People at Home
www.omnicareforpeopleathome.com