Open Mic

With the population of America aging at a rapid pace, many seniors are focused more than ever on the best techniques to reach and maintain optimum health.  These highly motivated seniors are realizing that good health requires more than just physical fitness; it requires brain fitness as well.  Brain health has become a leading topic among senior health, and research as already proven positive results.  Lauren Bremer Jackson, speech pathologist for the Plaza at Querencia at Barton Creek, recently welcomed residents and guests of the retirement resort to a special presentation regarding memory strategies that can easily be used in everyday life.     

“As the public becomes more aware of brain health, I get asked more and more questions regarding memory,” said Jackson. “Frustration is the main complaint I get from seniors regarding their memory.  They will forget where they left things or occasionally forget an appointment, but common forgetfulness such as this isn’t necessarily Alzheimer’s or dementia.  The majority of the time it’s due decreased organization and strategies established in the home.”

Jackson says that simple games such as bridge, suduko, crossword puzzles and trivia are all great ways to exercise the brain.  She recommends doing the math manually when balancing your checkbook, then going back to double check your work with a calculator.  As most people make it a routine to workout physically, a similar routine should be used which focuses on mental stimulation.

Some best practices for getting organized that Jackson recommends are designating a “home” for important items, such as keys, glasses, medications, etc.  If you wear reading glasses, have their “home” be on the nightstand and return them there after each use.  Organizing the calendar and referring to it on a daily basis is another useful tool for memory.  A color coded system can highlight important reminders or events on your calendar by assigning specific colors for specific activities, such as red for doctors’ appointments or blue for lunch dates.  Physically seeing planned activities takes away the stress of trying to remember so many different events.

Jackson is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and is also certified in Clinical Competence through ASHA. She holds a graduate degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.   

Querencia at Barton Creek is a premier life care senior living resort located at Barton Creek Boulevard and Chalk Knoll Drive in Austin, Texas, less than a mile from Barton Creek Resort & Club.  The 400,000-square-foot senior living resort features 167 independent living residences, including 10 villas, on 38 acres.  Residences are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 830 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet.  The Plaza at Querencia features assisted living apartment homes in one- and two-bedroom designs, memory support suites, private nursing rooms for long-term care, and Medicare-certified private suites for short-term rehabilitation.

Querencia at Barton Creek is 501(c)3 not-for-profit senior living community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that sponsors sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, The Buckingham in Houston, Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi, and The Stayton at Museum Way under construction in Fort Worth.  For information, visit www.QuerenciaBartonCreek.com, or call (512) 610-9401.