Seniors unite to boost their short-term memory

- Mon, 3 Dec 2007

Little things like walking into a room and then forgetting why you walked in, are early signs of  brain deterioration that happens naturally with age. And they can lead to more serious problems like dementia if left unchecked.  But retirees in Michigan are fighting back and reinvigorating their ailing memories at a new six-week workshop being conducted at Troy Community Center. The course is led by retired psychologist Betty Coven, 75.

The six week course, available to those over 55, includes activities and games aimed at improving memory and thinking skills. Homework  for participants requires going to a new restaurant, writing, learning a new skill and crossword puzzles. After just a few weeks participants report they feel small improvements in their memory.

"We used to think that, as you aged, if  you lost brain cells they were gone forever. Now they know, the more you use it, the more you have; the more you have, the more you use it," Coven told the Detroit Free Press Website. To read the full story, click here.

Mounting scientific evidence supports Coven's view that a mind that is kept active with a combination of thinking and memory challenges can stave off age-related brain decline. If you're keen to protect your memory against the effects of aging, HeadStrong Cognitive Fitness offers computer-based brain exercises, developed by a neuroscientist,  which target the neural pathways associated with attention, memory and concentration. Ongoing practice of these exercises can protect the brain for years to come against the debilitating affects of memory loss. To find out more, click here.