“I don’t want to lose my mind.”
It’s the plaintive cry of the elderly who begin to recognize a change in their ability to remember.
What they really mean is they don’t want to lose their memories, the archive of the past that recreates moments in time. These become more precious with age; “the happy existence” one would go back to like Emily Webb in Our Town.
Memory loss is probably the key concern of older adults, especially as it is one of the hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, memory loss is different in normal aging from the kind of memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Memory loss can have many causes which can result in memory loss besides AD, such as Parkinson’s disease (a genetic defect), Huntington’s disease (an inherited disease); chemotherapy (in which cytotoxic drugs are used to treat cancer), Dissociative Identity Disorder, stress-related activities, and a traumatic brain injury (a concussion, stroke, etc.).
Research in recent years has shown that the ability to store, retain, and recall information can usually be improved through simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness, and stress reduction into their daily lives.
A recent report from the International Longevity Center lists specific recommendations for keeping the mind functioning well until advanced age: Stay intellectually active through learning, training or reading, keep physically active to promote blood circulation to the brain, socialize, reduce stress, keep sleep time regular, avoid depression or emotional instability, and observe good nutrition.
When Robert Browning wrote “Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be,” life expectancy was briefer by decades. Today many enjoy “the good life” through the 80s, the 90s, and beyond thanks to science, genetics, and a healthy lifestyle.