IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

It is easier to remember what we are interested in, or what has affected us deeply.Thus we can remember songs and bits of poetry without much effort. I have found that if I look for something interesting about what I want to remember, then I can remember, but of course it does require effort. For example to remember peoples' faces look for special features, such as beautiful eyes, a big nose,a scar, a wart etc. To remember peoples' names try and think of something amusing to link the name to.Take John for example.There used to be a TV series about this Hillbilly family called 'The Waltons.' At the end of each programme John would call out in a very broad American accent; "Good night uncle John." He would reply "Good night John Boy." All names can be linked to something, so if John's surname was Smith you could visualize a smith with a big hammer making a horse shoe. If his name was John Walton you might remember by thinking and visualising a 'walled town.' It is definitely easier to remember rhyming things. For example in Cockney slang stairs are 'apples and pears'; a suit is a 'whistle and flute.' Another memory method which is also linked to humour is to remember names by silly opposites, so Mr. Goode would be Mr. Bad. Someone called Jerry could be remembered by thinking of a 'jerry can'which is a petrol container, or Jerry Lee Lewis, or Mungo Jerry. I find that I can remember images more easily than words or numbers. For example if I am trying to remember an address I visualise the house and the name usually comes back. I find that the sillier the association the easier the word is to remember. So if I am shopping I would remember the following. Bread-Dead; Butter-Nutter; Dog Food-Hog Food; Cheese-Sneeze; Mutton-Button. So, rhyming humour aids short term memory. Long term memory can be helped in other ways and the younger you start the better, but it is never too late. I have found that I have stopped further deterioration of my dementia and possible alzheimers by becoming healthier and keeping active both mentally and physically.It is never too late to start as I have proved, but if you live the right lifestyle when young, you will probably stay young forever, with no dementia and no alzheimers in old age. There are a number of things to consider. The first is simple. Smoking is bad for you, so don't smoke. If you are already doing so make a decision to stop. I found that it was only the decision that was diffricult. If I craved a cigarette I took a fresh piece of chewing gum and made up a mantra that I repeated over and over again."I will never smoke again." The second thing is excessive consumption of alcohol. Very moderate drinking is fine, but my excessive use of alcohol was one of the causes of brain cell loss and dementia. Exercise is essential. Walking one hour a day is quite sufficient, there is no need to torture yourself at the gym unless you want to. The right food is of course a must. The Mediterranean diet is the easiest to follow. Not much meat, plenty of fruit and vegetables. As little fat as possible. Mental exercise is also important in preventing dementia and alzheimers. Do crosswords, play chess or other games. Above all read. Despite a lifetime of mild abuse in just about every way I have changed my lifestyle and my dementia and alzheimers is under control. The memory damage already done and probably wont come back, but it is now limited and I live a great life and I am the healthiest that I have been in years. Of course a loving partner helps and I count my blessings every day.Finally, I must also say that prayer and meditation are also a great help. The weather here in Paarl is very pleasant, sunny and warm. The pool wont be hot enough for me to swim today, but Boysie will enjoy swimming after his ball. Bobby the parrot is still not talking much in front of me. Julian however says that he is now talking quite a bit when she is around on her own. How ironic it all is, as I am the one who feeds him titbits of apple and grapes during the day, I suppose such strange behaviour is only human! Keep taking the tablets! avid Barnato. Paarl. South Africa.