As the years go by, elderly people may experience some loss in the speed of their movements and speech. Although this can be a symptom of old age and can be solved, in some cases, with a more active routine and a better diet, in others it can be the first symptoms of cognitive decline. Therefore, it is important to take into account what aspects to pay attention to to try to detect or stop possible neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
One of the most visible features of the beginning of this type of cognitive impairment is memory loss, difficulty when speaking or in your own judgment. Although this is not always a sign of possible illness, it is important to pay attention to them. Especially if they get worse. Fortunately, there are two fairly simple exercises recommended by specialists to learn to detect these types of signals. For this you just need to pay attention to the mobility of your hands.
As explained by doctors specialized in cognitive aging and memory, Monika McAtarsney-Kovacs, for the British media “The Telegraph”, the simple movement of the hand requires great concentration and mental ability. Something that, although people often take it for granted in their youth, can become a real challenge when they reach old age. Especially when they are gestures that are performed for the first time or that are not used to being done on a daily basis.
The simple movement of the hand activates different areas of the brain
To be able to perform them, the brain needs to send signals to the fingers involved in the gesture and block those that will not be needed, which requires working on different aspects such as thinking, attention, planning and information processing. Areas that experts recommend keeping occupied to avoid deterioration and its possible consequences on people’s independence, mobility and judgment, especially when you reach old age.
This is why trying to perform certain repetitive and unusual movements on a daily basis can show signs of this type of deterioration. Tests that, although they can help both people and their families detect problems early, their results must be consulted with a specialist before reaching a diagnosis. Likewise, it is important to know that Its implementation is an indicator and not a preventive exercise..
Exercises to detect cognitive impairment
The first exercise is known as the tapping test. To do this, it is necessary to place the index finger against the big toe, at a distance of approximately 3 centimeters. Next, you need perform different touches or repeated strokes between the fingers for 15 seconds. The greater the number of touches, the better the indicator of the person’s cognitive abilities.
According to a study published in the Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy, subjects with average cognitive impairment performed 54 touches with their dominant hand and 51 with their non-dominant hand, while subjects without signs of impairment performed 64 with your dominant hand and 59 with your non-dominant hand. Although experts remember that occasionally performing fewer strokes may simply be due to rest.
For the second exercise it is necessary to be in front of a flat surface, such as a table. First of all, you must close your fist on said surface and, later, open it and leave your fingers stretched out and your palm on it. This movement must be done three times in each handone followed by the other. Those who can perform it without mistakes do not usually present cognitive impairment, so repeated errors in this movement can be a warning sign.
These exercises are indicators, but they do not prevent deterioration
However, it is important to keep in mind that, although these types of gestures can provide valuable information, none have been individually validated as a detection tool or a prevention exercise. Therefore, attention should also be paid to other symptoms such as frequent forgetfulness, inability to maintain the thread of a conversation, problems expressing oneself, disorientation, or drastic mood changes.
To prevent the effects of cognitive decline, what experts recommend is to carry out activities that require a certain effort for the brain. Although some of the most advisable are learn a new skill or languageyou can also perform other more relaxed tasks, such as doing hobbies, doing memory training, calculation or logic exercises, or simply creating a habit of reading and writing.