The Issue Of Memory Loss - 1397 Words

The Issue of Memory Loss in Relation to Healthy Aging The following paper is an academic discussion on the contemporary issue of memory loss in relation to healthy aging of older adults. Scholarly articles were used for references and facts relating to the topic. Memories constitute a vital part of life for everyone, and certain diseases that largely affect the older population can take those important moments away, leaving the elderly missing vital parts of their lives. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the loss of memory can affect the way a person ages, and their health as they age. Memory loss is defined as unusual forgetfulness. To a degree memory loss is an expected aspect of aging, as people grow older they feel that†¦show more content†¦Diseases like this can wreak havoc within a family, costing millions of dollars in healthcare, and a high amount of stress on family members. The nurse’s role is to provide support for both the patient, as well as the family, and assisting both to overcome the loss of memories. In supporting those suffering from this loss, the nurse can help the patient to reminisce, or try to recover lost memories. Within the family circle, the nurse can teach family members how to deal with such drastic changes. The nurse can also implement interventions to prevent memory loss in aging individuals. Nurses can promote activities such as brain training, and exercising, and healthy lifestyles that can help prevent the onset of memory loss. Memory loss caused by onset dementia has greatly affected the life of my grandmother. Since suffering head trauma from being in a car accident in April of 2014, my grandmother has abruptly declined in health. She resides in an apartment alone with her dog, and her dementia affects her every day activities. She will forget that she has already fed her dog and try to feed him again, will telephone family members up to three times a day and not remember the previous phone calls, a nd repeat several conversations on end. She has also become less able to perform self-care for herself, forgetting to eat, or clean up