Seniors reveal reality of memory loss and how to avoid it

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What would you prioritize earlier in life? New research has found six in ten seniors said for them, it’s their memory health.

A new poll of 2,000 Americans aged 50 to 70 shared sage advice for the younger generations: consider paying attention to your brain health and memory by the time you’re in your mid-30s.

Commissioned by Neuriva Memory 3D and conducted by Talker Research, the study highlights how common everyday memory lapses are, with nearly nine in 10 (89%) seniors reporting occasional forgetfulness.

In fact, the average person surveyed confirmed they forget something 12 times in a typical week. Recognizing this, three in four respondents view supporting cognitive health and memory as an important part of overall preventative care.

By the average age of 54, respondents reported everyday memory slips – including forgetting the names of people (54%), what they go into a room for (53%), the names of places (27%), instructions (19%) and directions (17%).

Forty percent admitted that they tend not to make a big deal of these moments around family and friends, with 11% of them doing this frequently – largely because they don’t want their loved ones to feel concerned or worry about their health.

To proactively care for their memory and brain function, many said they use brain health "bio-hacks" — activities or personal care methods that use technology, biology and experimentation to optimize their health — to proactively care for their memory and brain function.

These brain health “bio-hacks” include solving puzzles (63%), playing brain training games (44%) and taking dietary supplements (32%).

"When we hear 'bio-hacking,' we assume it's all about physical health, but that's simply not the case," explained Dr. Lauren Brink, PHD, RDN and spokesperson for Neuriva. "It's about thinking holistically when it comes to your health, including memory and cognitive health. Strengthening your brain's abilities is just as important as strengthening any other part of your body."

(Talker Research)

Results also found 86% of adults aged 50-70 pay closer attention to their general health today than they did 10 years ago.

Four out of five of them said aging is the primary reason; though many said they also pay closer attention to their health so they can ensure a productive daily routine (36%) or keep up with kids and grandkids (26%).

To support their physical health, they take supplements (60%), exercise on a regular basis (56%) and follow sleep routines (48%). Others get sunlight throughout the day (43%), follow a specific diet (25%) and meditate on a regular basis (19%).

When it comes to cognitive health, 82% aim to be just as proactive. In fact, 84% believe taking care of their cognitive health can have a massive or significant impact on their overall health.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) feel confident about their current habits supporting their long-term brain health.

To help remember things, people use different tricks like writing information down (40%), talking out loud to themselves (35%), typing information out on their phone or computer (30%) and placing items near them to trigger their memory (24%).

"Brain-stimulating games and puzzles, writing or typing things down, and using nearby things to trigger your memory are all important pieces to keeping your memory sharp as you age," Dr. Lauren Brink, PHD, RDN and spokesperson for Neuriva. "People take vitamins and supplements daily for physical health, and now there’s a daily solution for your brain health with Memory 3D. It's important to consider the role supplements can play in supporting your cognition alongside a mix of cognitive bio-hacks."

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans aged 50 to 70 who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Neuriva Memory 3D and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Jan. 22 and Jan. 28, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.