Ease Your Forgetfulness

Lots of things change as we age, including our brains. But not all changes are signs of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Good news:

If you forget things, then remember them later (such as words, appointments, names, and the date), that’s normal. If you’re worried, talk to your doctor. Conditions like depression and sleep apnea are treatable.

Don’t forget to give your brain a daily mental workout with crosswords and jumbles, in addition to these memory boosters:

• Write to-dos. Studies show just seeing the note on paper may be enough to jog your memory.  
• Do to-dos in pairs. Pair a task you easily forget with something you never forget, like brushing your teeth.
• Stick to a schedule. Do tasks in the same order. You’ll get used to “what comes next” and be less likely to skip a step.
• Take lots of photos. One study found that people remember things better if they snap photos along the way.
• Use some props. Need to get gas? Create a little dashboard sign to remind you.
• To learn the 10 specific signs of Alzheimer’s disease, visit Alz.org.

3 APPS TO TRAIN YOUR BRAIN Boost mental strength with these three free tools for your Android or IOS device
PEAK  The Problem Solver	EIDETIC  The Memory Enhancer	ELEVATE  The Skill Tester
Developed by neuroscien-tists, Peak pairs its users with their own personal trainer who recommends various mental exercises to complete. The app allows you to compete against your friends, keep track of your progress over time, and compare stats with other users in your age range and occupation.	Eidetic uses a technique called spaced repetition to help you memorize important phone numbers, or even just interesting words and facts. You enter the information you want to remember and the app sends you periodic notifications to help commit the information to your long-term memory.	Elevate has more than 40 games designed to test memory, oral skills, focus, math, and comprehension. The exercises are only a couple of  minutes long so you can keep playing throughout the day. The app provides detailed perfor-mance tracking, and you can also compare your scores with friends.

JOIN US ON NOV. 10!

Independence Blue Cross is proud to participate in the 2018 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S, an annual charity walk focused on fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Stop by the Independence booth to learn about plans available to you, and enter to win a dog bandana for your furry friend!

WHERE: Citizens Bank Park
WHEN: Saturday, November 10

Registration opens at 9 a.m. ET and the walk starts at 11 a.m. ET

PICTURE PUZZLER

Can you crack the emoji-code below?   Hint: It’s a centuries-old piece of health advice.

ANSWER TO THE RIDDLE: 
.yawa rotcod eht speek yad a elppa nA