When it comes to strengthening and caring for our brains, a common term is “cognitive reserve.” Our cognitive reserve gives us a little bit of cushion for when we age and our brains naturally slow down. It can be compared to a squirrel who saves up all the acorns he can for when winter comes around and food is scarce. Building a cognitive reserve is one way to protect against cognitive decline.
Our aging loved-ones are in transition. The loss of family members and friends, a change in living arrangements, changes in fitness and health, the loss of driving privileges, even the death of a pet all put a loved-one under stress and may place them at risk. With these life-changes it's completely normal for our loved-ones to show temporary signs of depression, irritability, forgetfulness and minor self-neglect. But how how can you tell the difference between normal and temporary responses to stress and when it's something more concerning or more permanent?