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Health & Fitness

Senior Care Memory Tips: Have You Seen My Car?

While we all get lost in parking lots, here are ways to keep from doing so.

 

I know that losing your car has happened to us all. It seems to be a common problem, but as we get older it can become more of a problem than ever. Karen Miller, Owner and Developer of Memory Jogging Puzzles, has studied the mind and how to keep it sharp. She has offered to share her experiences with us on a monthly basis as a guest blogger. In this month's offering Karen shares an experience with a gentleman who needed a lot of help finding his car. Karen then gives expert advice to those of us who get lost regularly at the mall. So, here is Karen Miller.—Stan

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Have You Seen My Car?

Guest blogger: Karen Miller

Observe a busy parking lot and you will most likely see someone searching for a lost car, young and old, age isn’t a factor.

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On a bitter cold day, this past winter, I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and noticed an elderly man pushing a cart full of groceries back and forth along the rows of parked cars.

I recognized the look on his face because I have worn that look and I have seen that look many times before. I knew he couldn’t find his car.

When I asked if he was looking for his car, he looked down and softly said yes. I understood he felt embarrassed, because I felt the same way strolling my cart from one end to the other. 

The sad part is, this gentleman could not remember what kind or make of car he was driving, OR, the color of the car. 

His answer: It’s a “light colored” car.

In a parking lot of about 100 cars, and many light colored ones, his information was not very helpful. But, we still looked for light colored cars, “is this it?”. . . no. After about 10 minutes “light color” became grey and he being more relaxed, started to describe his car.

Panic sets in. . .

When we get nervous, our heart rate goes up and it becomes difficult to remember important details. We get embarrassed, flustered, and can’t remember anything, sometimes we don’t even hear or understand the questions.

A couple of men from customer service joined the search and one young guy recognized the description, he drove the same model. The lost car was found, close to entrance door, where he most likely went in. And, it was a white car.

This has happened to me, has it happened to you?  

I recall parking my car, going in one door, shopping and then coming out another door. Not realizing my mistake, I looked around and had no idea where my car was parked. After pushing my cart around awhile, I eventually found my car at the other end.  Now, I am more observant of my surroundings.

Don’t make the same mistake.

When you park your car be observant.

  • Focus, on surroundings, and look for markers of any kind.
  • Check the entrance to store, is your car parked on the right side or left side.
  • Look at the entrance door, focus on name or find a marker of some kind, maybe it is a color or sign.
  • Walking in, find something interesting along the way, these will be markers for you to remember and look for or recognize on the way out. If you don’t see them, you are going the wrong way. Focusing on markers, make a verbal note to go along with it. For example, if I go into a mall entrance and the first thing I see is the shoe department on my right, I take a moment to look at it, and say I came in at the shoe department. And I will remember I came in at the shoe department. If possible go in and come out the same entrance. 

There is nothing worse than coming out on the wrong side of the building and walking around it to find your car.

• Parking lots at airports and enclosed parking lots have numbers or letter markers, if you can’t remember them, write this information down and put it in a “special” place.

Keep your mind active.

Studies show stimulating your brain and doing memory exercises routinely may help delay memory loss.

As we grow older, our memory starts to fade away. It is to our advantage to put effort into retaining the memory we have and trying improve it.

  • Card games, solitaire and memory games are great memory exercises.
  • Crossword puzzles and similar word puzzles are great memory and cognitive or thinking exercise.
  • Jigsaw puzzles are great to stimulate brain and memory, eye-hand coordination and cognitive exercise.
  • Play fun memory exercise games with your grandchildren.

 

If you have access to a computer or IPad there are memory games online that are fun. If you don’t have a computer, visit the library and they will help you.

I know a group who gets together to work on a standing large puzzle, rather than playing cards.

None of these happen by themselves, everyone has to make an effort.

Use it or you’ll lose it!

We have all heard this phrase and it is true. I think as individuals, we are the last to realize it.

Our age group - seniors and elderly just go along accepting our lives and health as it comes and goes including our memory. Don’t let this happen to you. 

Focus 

  • Learning to focus will improve your concentration. 
  • Being aware and taking your time will help memory recollection.
  • No one can concentrate well when tired. If you are tired and doing a task requiring concentration, it is time to put it aside. You will complete it quicker and be more efficient when you are more alert.
  • Focusing on details will enhance your memory. 
  • Write it down when you want to remember it and repeat it out loud. 
  • Studies show that completing one task before we move on to another is quicker and more efficient. Multi-tasking does not save us time.

How do you remember where you left the car?

For more great information, please come visit the blog at our Sequoia Senior Solutions website.

Karen Miller is Owner and Developer of Memory Jogging Puzzles. She started her business in 2007, dedicated to giving elderly and people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia beneficial activities for brain exercise and memory exercise; and their families the tools to interact with their loved one. Memory Jogging Puzzles and Memory Games are simplified memory puzzles and card games designed to meet their special needs and to feel achievement and pride.

PS: Karen has 3 children; 8 grandchildren and “jack” wire hair terrier.

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