GOOGLE, WHERE'S MY PHONE

GOOGLE, WHERE'S MY PHONE
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 by Linda Wood Rondeau

Categories: WELLNESS

I am grateful for instant knowledge of things I forget. But the Internet has yet to remind me where I last set my keys down.

Habits help … I tend to have a place for everything and try to keep everything in its place. But my scattered brain sometimes can’t remember where I put things, even if I haven’t changed their home yet.

The most frequently lost item, until my brain kicks in, is my phone. Years ago, younger women carried their phones on their arms. I’m one of those people who tend to keep it in my purse while I’m out, or on my end table when home. When I vary from this routine, I do ask AI to “find my phone.” It rings. But being hearing-challenged, I can’t tell where the rings are coming from.

Many older adults have memory lapses now and again. We ping our foreheads when the memory comes trotting back to mind. We worry, “Am I losing it? Is this a sign of dementia?”

But memory loss is not always caused by dementia.

In many cases, forgetfulness may be linked to other health conditions, lifestyle factors, or chronic health issues. I’ve often complained that my arthritis has gone to my head!

Poor sleep, depression, medication side effects, hearing or vision loss, dehydration, vitamin deficiencies, and uncontrolled blood pressure can all affect how clearly we think and remember.

We should not be afraid to talk to our doctor if memory problems persist or worsen. There are medications and treatments to help senior minds regain focus and function.

Meanwhile, there are habits we can develop and mental exercises we can do to help “jump start” stalled clarity and get us more focused on our day.

Reading, puzzles, learning a new skill, playing music, or having meaningful conversations are just a few suggestions to help keep our cognitive skills in good working order. A psychologist once recommended that singing was not only good for the soul, but also helps with memory.

Social connection also matters. Spending time with family, friends, neighbors, or community groups can reduce isolation and help sharpen attention and recall. Good sleep is another major factor because the brain uses sleep to organize and store memories.

Some medications may contribute to confusion or drowsiness. Medications can also keep us awake at night, and that creates a day-long siege of fighting a loss of cognition. Be sure to review your meds periodically with your physician.

Lorne Michaels, long-time producer of SNL, states, however, that exhaustion is sometimes a gift for the creator. Fighting through tiredness can free the brain of unnecessary things and help us attend to the moment. Don’t know if that would work for my writing, but, hey! I’ll try anything!

Healthy eating plays a powerful role in brain health.

A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and healthy fats can help nourish the brain and support blood flow.

What’s your favorite brain food? I’ll have to check to see if chocolate is one of those brain-healthy foods. What helps the heart often helps the brain. Drinking enough water is important too, since dehydration can worsen confusion and fatigue.

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to maintain mental acuity as we age.

Walking, chair exercises, dancing, stretching, or light strength training can increase blood flow to the brain, improve mood, support balance, and help with sleep

Perfection is probably not attainable, and we should not feel guilty if we don’t jog a mile every day. Consistency matters more than intensity. Small steps taken faithfully can build stronger habits and lasting benefits.