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The Aging Brain

In our 20s and 30s, our brains begin to change. These changes affect they way we store memories. We become more forgetful. If you're in your 40s and 50s, your might worry that forgetfulness is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. But, not all forgetfulness is serious. For instance, knowing a word and not being able to remember it is usually a temporary problem. It's common to forget some of the many things you need to do. And many people mix up, or even forget, appointments now and then. Use lists and a calendar to keep you on track. Put things like your keys in the same place every time.

Just as physical activity keeps your body strong, mental activity keeps your mind sharp. One way to do this is to keep challenging yourself by learning new skills. Activities like these can help keep your brain in shape:

Learning to play a musical instrument

Playing Scrabble™ or doing crossword puzzles

Starting a new hobby, such as crafts, painting, biking, or bird-watching

Staying informed about what's going on in the world

Reading

Also, recent research suggests that being physically active is also important to keeping your mind sharp.

When Forgetting Isn't Normal

Although memory lapses are usually minor, serious memory loss and confusion are not a normal part of aging. Memory loss along with big changes in personality and behavior may mean there is a problem. Signs of the brain disease called dementia — the most common form is Alzheimer's disease — include symptoms such as:

Asking the same questions over and over again

Repeating phrases or stories in the same conversation

Forgetting how to do things you've done many times

Becoming lost in familiar places

Being unable to follow directions

Neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition

These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions, minor head injuries, bad reactions to medicine, or other physical problems. It's important to see a doctor right away to get a correct diagnosis.

Additional Resources

Publications

Women's Mental Health — This special section of womenshealth.gov provides information on taking care of your mental health throughout the different stages of your life. It also links to information on mental health for men, girls, and people with a chronic illness or disability.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/mh/

Age Page: Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help — This fact sheet explains the differences between dementia and normal age-related changes in memory. The diagnosis, treatment options, and research issues are considered.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/forgetfulness.htm

Can we prevent aging? — This article discusses how older adults can promote healthier mental aging through healthy diet and exercise instead of supplements to promote healthy aging.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/preventaging.htm

What's your aging IQ? — This booklet discusses what older people are concerned about, how they can get the most out of the rest of their lives, and what normal aging really is.

http://www.niapublications.org/tipsheets/agingiq.asp

Aging in the Know: Psychological and Social Issues (Copyright © FHA) — This publication explains how the mind ages as we age. It deals with learning, memory, reaction time, intelligence, and life skills. In addition, it provides information on some of the stresses of aging such as caregiving, loss and grief, changing roles, and social status. It gives tips for how to deal with these life changes and the types of healthy behaviors that are important.

http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=3

http://www.aarp.org/learntech/wellbeing/a2004-03-16-deage_new.html

Memory loss: When to seek help (Copyright © MFMER) — Everyone forgets things. How many times have you lost your car keys or forgotten the name of a person you just met? Forgetfulness tends to increase with age, but there's a big difference between normal absent-mindedness and the type of memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. This fact sheet discusses the difference between them.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/memory-loss/HQ00094/METHOD=print

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 5, 2009.