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Now Where Did I Park My Car?!

Writer's picture: Patricia FaustPatricia Faust


A few years ago I parked in an airport garage and since I was running late, I just ran from the car into the airport. When I returned to the parking garage I had no idea where my car was. Nothing looked familiar as I searched for my elusive parking space. After looking for what seemed like an eternity, I spotted my car neatly parked between a van and a SUV. It is a horrible feeling to not remember something.


If I was a young adult I would have just felt stupid about all of this. But I was already well into middle age when this happened. It scared me and had my young adult sons concerned about my memory. Forgetting where you park your car can happen to anyone of any age. It says nothing about your cognitive functioning. Are all of our memory slips a sign of cognitive decline? Let’s first differentiate between memory and cognition. Cognition includes remembering and forgetting, as well as, critical thinking, reasoning, attention, imagination, insight, and appreciation of beauty (Staying Sharp, AARP, Dana Alliance). Memory is just one part of cognition.


What exactly is memory then? The concept of memory is complex. There are a number of interrelated processes involved with memory. First, we learn or experience something new. The brain registers that new information, encodes it into nerve cell connections and then stores it for later recall. So memory is dependent on the encoding of the information and the ability to recall the information.


There are two types of memory. Declarative or explicit memory includes memories we consciously recall and describe. These memories are of people, places, and things we experience everyday. The areas of the brain that are responsible for explicit memory are the hippocampus (part of the brain’s memory processing system) and the prefrontal cortex (center for high level mental functions).


The second type of memory is the nondeclarative or implicit memory. Implicit memory is responsible for learning skills and procedures. The part of the brain that takes over these duties is the amygdala (part of the brain’s memory processing system) and the cerebellum and motor cortex (movement-related areas).


There are some changes associated with memory and aging. Our brain slows down and we don’t pick up information as quickly as we used to. Our working memory is weaker. Working memory holds a finite amount of information and is vulnerable to distraction. Our working memory holds information for a short period of time until we can process it for encoding and storage.


Memories we retrieve are stored in long-term memory. Long-term memory does not have any limit to the capacity of memories it holds. It is also not vulnerable to distraction and stays with us throughout our lives. Problems arise when we can’t retrieve those memories when we want them. This is a topic for a future blog.

To be able to hold memory in working and short-term memory status there are a few things we might do, as we get older. We have to put our attention/focus on what we want to remember. In the parking garage I should have looked for markers to direct me back to my car. When you see the markers, signs, buildings, or plants, etc. your brain is cued to remember where you park, where to drive, etc. If you are trying to remember a name, repetition works well. The brain is laying down new connections with repetition. In future blogs I will give you other tips for memory.


You will remember something if it holds meaning for you. Who can forget the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers? If you need to remember something that has no immediate meaning for you – assign meaning. Again, I will share some other tips and strategies for memory.

Our memory shouldn’t suffer significant declines, as we get older. We must approach memory in a different way. We still have our memories tucked away. Our brains are such an amazing organs. Our life story is always with us.

Have questions or interested in learning more?


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     What's Happening?

2025 has certainly started off with a BANG!  There is significant chaos surrounding the start of now President Trump’s term in office.  He described it as ‘Shock and Awe’.  I would agree with ‘shock’, but I am not in awe of the beginning of his term.  Time will tell how this all plays out.  It does force me to get serious about my meditation practice, however.

Then most of the United States was under, first – severe weather systems and then the incineration of Southern California.  In my particular neck of the woods (Ohio/Indiana border) we had 15 inches of snow, subzero temperatures made even colder by high wind.  My gas and electric bill will be out of this world after this month.  It has been a long time since we have seen this type of weather.  In 1978, we had a blizzard where over 30 inches of snow fell, the Ohio River froze over, and I had a blizzard baby 9 months later (to the day)! Nothing like that this time though!

The natural disasters to hit the US this year have been catastrophic.  There was Hurricane Helene that devastated Florida but also caused so much flooding in the Southeast State of North Carolina that the town of Ashville was left in shambles.  This is a mountain town where you would never expect torrential flooding to occur.  The recovery has been slow, but it is ongoing. 

Los Angeles California is the home of many famous and affluent people.  The Palisades and Malibu are two cities you might have seen on TV shows or in movies.  They are on the Pacific coast and were extremely beautiful.  There is nothing left. The damage is unimaginable.  It is hard to understand how people will bounce back from this.

No matter where you live or are reading this, please keep these communities in your thoughts and prayers.  If possible, check out sources where you may make contributions to their recovery.

On a lighter note, The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will play each other in Super Bowl 59 on February 9 in New Orleans.  These two teams played each other in the 2023 Super Bowl and The Chiefs were the winners.  Grudge match in 2025?  We will see.

Make sure you check out the activities going on at the Virtual Brain Health Center.  Krystal and LeAnne always have a month full of activities, the book club, podcasts and guests who bring their expertise to share.  It is free and is worth checking out.  www.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com

I am available to book speaking engagements for The Boomer Brain and The Inside Workings of the Aging Brain.  All Boomers are feeling brain aging losses – tip-of-the-tongue, lost word, forgetting things and the slow down of processing. Request information and open dates through patricia@myboomerbrain.com.

“Pat has written a comprehensive quide to understanding and navigating the intricacies of cognitive aging. ‘The Boomer Brain’ is a beacon of hope for those seeking to enrich their later years.” Dr. Sarah McKay (Founder of The Neuroscience Academy)

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

 

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

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THANKS for being a part of My Boomer Brain! 

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