DEAR DR. MICHELLE,
What do you think about Lumosity? Do brain games work?
Keeping your mind engaged contributes to healthy brain aging. If you like playing computer games offered by Lumosity and other websites, go for it! Or you can read, cook, or garden. You can also exercise your brain with Sudoku or crossword puzzles (other activities I’m frequently asked about).
There is no “best” method for staying cognitively engaged. Do something you enjoy, not necessarily something you feel forced to do. I would also challenge you to learn something new every day. This could be a new word, recipe, fact, skill, or visiting a new place.
Research shows that there is no “all or nothing” when it comes to cognitive stimulation. No step or activity is too small to have a potential benefit. So, have fun! You may find yourself painting, tinkering in your home workshop, picking up a musical instrument, and finding joy in the time and freedom you have to explore these hobbies. It shouldn’t feel like a homework assignment, but more like time on the playground.
DEAR DR. MICHELLE,
I’ve told my doctor that I’m worried about my memory, but she does not seem concerned. Do I need to take any additional steps?
If you have a concern about your memory, be proactive. There are a range of ways you can have a memory screening, whether it be an online assessment, phone screen, in-person brief screen (often cost-free) or a comprehensive medical evaluation by a specialist or team. Ironically, despite the importance and availability of such screens, they are not always easy to find. Please do not let this dissuade you from moving forward. Your brain is worth the extra effort.
Here are some places to start: https://mybrainguide.org/ offers online and phone screens; https://globalalzplatform.org/map/ lists vetted clinical trial sites dedicated to memory research where you can usually get a cost-free memory screen; https://www.alz.org/nca/helping_you/community-resource-finder can help you find diagnostic centers and specialists near you. You might also consider asking local medical professionals, friends, or family members for referrals or doing your own internet search. No matter which option you choose, this is a first step towards assessing your memory and deciding what to do next.
By getting a memory screen, you will likely begin to access information about healthy brain aging and memory loss. All of the sources listed above offer such resources. Objective feedback about your own memory and general information about memory loss and healthy brain aging put you in the best position to make a plan to address your memory concerns. This plan should include yearly memory check-ups and daily practice of healthy lifestyle factors. For some, the inclusion of medical interventions or participation in research may be considered. My advice is to address your concerns about memory head on – small steps can make a big difference.
*Michelle Papka, Ph.D. is the Founder of The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey (The CRCNJ) in Springfield, NJ. The mission of The CRCNJ is to provide no-cost diagnostic, treatment and supportive resources through clinical research opportunities to people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.
