It would be a tragedy to come to the end of a well-lived life and not remember it; to not recognize the spouse holding your hand, to not have the mental capacity to take care of yourself.

This tragic end is more prevalent today as Baby Boomers, the largest generation in American history, ages and copes with dementia.

Fortunately, researchers, physicians and educators have increased their efforts to reduce the impact of cognitive diseases. Earlier this month, social service agencies across the country held memory-screening tests during National Memory Screening Day. The Wood County Commission on Aging held such tests at senior centers in Bowling Green and Walbridge. About 40 seniors attended the Walbridge screening, according to Danielle Brogley, director of programs.

Brogley said the office on aging also offers memory-enhancing classes once a month and a five-week memory action program. Two speakers she regularly calls on for expertise are Dr. A. John McSweeny, professor emeritus of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Toledo and Dr. Murthy Gokula, assistant professor at the university and head of the Geriatrics Fellowship program at St. Luke’s Hospital. The two regularly dispense advice on the causes of age-related memory loss and steps to prevent it.

Dr. McSweeny says memory slips occur at all ages, however, memory loss is not normal as one ages. Speed of recall commonly declines, but recognition and accuracy typically do not. In fact, linguistics and vocabulary ability often improve.

We all have these memory slips, however, they can also be a sign of two devastating diseases--dementia and Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia. In dementia, there is a decline not only in memory but also in the ability to solve problems, to find the right word to express yourself, to understand what others are telling you and to engage in abstract thinking. In its advanced stage, dementia victims forget how to eat, how to drink, how to swallow.

Other early signs include an inability to perform everyday tasks such as cooking a meal or dressing properly, misplacing things, changes in mood, behavior or personality or a loss of initiative.

If you experience any of these, or your family has a history of dementia, here are some common sense steps you can take to lessen your risk.

High blood pressure, high sugar and high cholesterol can all contribute to memory loss, Dr. McSweeny says. So too can smoking and excessive alcohol use.

“It turns out, the things your mother’s been telling you for all these years is true,” he says. A poor diet and self-destructive indulgence can destroy not only liver, kidneys and lungs, but also your brain.

Genetics can also play a role. About five percent are at a higher risk based on heredity. However, you can be tested for the ApoE4, a gene associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, and forewarn yourself.

Hormone replacement therapy and certain sleep aids can also contribute. Dr. McSweeny said Benadryl and Tylenol PM can cause short-term memory loss. Consult your doctor for alternatives.

Dr. Gokula adds two more taboos—poor diet and living an isolated life. Eating too much red meat and processed foods can increase your risk. So too can stress, depression and leading an asocial life without a sense of purpose.

“If you become a loner, it’ll become worse,” Dr. Gokula said. He encourages building a social network, something many seniors fail to do upon retiring from work.

He also encourages you to do the things your mother told you to do. Eat more vegetables, whole grains, fish and poultry. Take a multi-vitamin daily as Vitamin B-12 deficiency contributes to memory loss.

Dr. McSweeny adds that regular exercise can produce brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor, a protein critical to developing long-term memory. 

Both encourage keeping an active mind by reading, making out puzzles, learning new things, pursuing hobbies  and engaging in other language stimulating activity.

For more information about memory classes call the Wood County Committee on Aging at 419-353-5661 or go to nationalmemoryscreening.org. Comment at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  

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