The Cognitive Processes of Aging and Memory
Casey Imelio
Sitting with my grandfather just today, it was clear to me that since being at college I had not noticed how much he had aged within the last two years. He forgot minimal details, such as my major and what truck I drove (which for him is surprising). While at the time being enrolled in both a Gerontology course and this Perception and Cognition course it was cool to see how I could put these details together and get a better understanding of what he and millions of other aging people were going through. Forgetting may be a normal part of growing older, but each individual has a different level of memory as they age and it’s important to understand especially as you yourself will go through the aging process.
Research on aging and memory has been around for a …show more content…
Many people view the aging process as a dreadful time in which their memories will eventually turn to nothing. In the majority of cases that is absolutely not true. The aging process is natural and can be very healthy has long as you keep both your body and brain healthy. Many researchers believe that cognitive techniques such as learning a new language or taking up a new physical activity can trigger different parts of your brain that have not been stimulated since your mid-adulthood. The normal aging brain has less brain flow and that is due to our lives winding down whether it be retirement, less physical activity or social activity. In the nursing home I make it a point to ask older adults about their past lives because not only does it brings them joy and wonderful memories, but it also exercises their memory. Aging is a process that I have seen up close with my grandfather and the adults that I work with, but I am glad to have a better understanding of how our memories will change throughout our lives and how they already
Casey Imelio
Sitting with my grandfather just today, it was clear to me that since being at college I had not noticed how much he had aged within the last two years. He forgot minimal details, such as my major and what truck I drove (which for him is surprising). While at the time being enrolled in both a Gerontology course and this Perception and Cognition course it was cool to see how I could put these details together and get a better understanding of what he and millions of other aging people were going through. Forgetting may be a normal part of growing older, but each individual has a different level of memory as they age and it’s important to understand especially as you yourself will go through the aging process.
Research on aging and memory has been around for a …show more content…
Many people view the aging process as a dreadful time in which their memories will eventually turn to nothing. In the majority of cases that is absolutely not true. The aging process is natural and can be very healthy has long as you keep both your body and brain healthy. Many researchers believe that cognitive techniques such as learning a new language or taking up a new physical activity can trigger different parts of your brain that have not been stimulated since your mid-adulthood. The normal aging brain has less brain flow and that is due to our lives winding down whether it be retirement, less physical activity or social activity. In the nursing home I make it a point to ask older adults about their past lives because not only does it brings them joy and wonderful memories, but it also exercises their memory. Aging is a process that I have seen up close with my grandfather and the adults that I work with, but I am glad to have a better understanding of how our memories will change throughout our lives and how they already