As seniors age, they often experience many changes in their cognitive health, which can lead to challenges with memory, critical thinking, and communication skills. However, there are fun and engaging ways for seniors to keep their brains healthy and functioning normally. Take a look at some of the things seniors can do to stimulate their brains.
Write in a Journal
Journaling is a good way for seniors to expand their memory and recognize patterns, which are essential skills for adults in their golden years. Journals are also portable, making it easier for seniors to carry them around. Spelling out the words with a pen or pencil can boost brain function. Journaling not only slows cognitive decline, but it also allows seniors to vent about issues that impact them without feeling guilty, embarrassed, or regretful.
Seniors who need help journaling or making healthy lifestyle choices that boost cognitive health should consider in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same services of home care. Lincoln families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Work in the Garden
As your loved one ages, he or she may become deficient in vitamin D due to spending more time indoors. However, gardening is a fun outdoor activity that provides a good source of vitamin D, which is necessary to help aging adults balance their brain hormones. Caring for plants and making decisions pertaining to the garden can stimulate the brain. Keeping a garden also allows seniors to grow healthy foods and spices that can boost their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Dance
Dancing can reverse the signs of aging in your loved one’s brain. The challenges of learning dance techniques can have an anti-aging effect on the hippocampus, a region of the brain that controls memory, learning, and balance. Family caregivers can sign their loved ones up for dance classes, or have mini-dance sessions inside of their homes. Dancing is a form of exercise seniors may find fun and enjoyable.
Bond with Grandchildren
Taking an interest in the grandkids is a good way for seniors to stimulate their brains. They can help their grandchildren do household chores, finish up homework assignments and class projects, or just hang out with them during the weekends and holidays. Spending time with grandchildren is a refreshing experience that can keep seniors active and engaged. Sharing stories of the past with the grandkids helps seniors keep their memories fresh, which can slow cognitive decline.
Socializing on a regular basis is one of the best ways seniors can recall memories and boost their cognitive health. For families living in Lincoln, California, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Use Smartphone Apps
There are many apps that can boost memory and keep the mind active. Your loved one can download social media apps, games, video chats and messengers, and health trackers designed to enhance mood and boost brain health. Many apps are free, and some can be used to supplement your loved one’s memory, such as grocery planners, calendars, medication management tools, and birthday apps.
Aging can have a negative impact on the brain, making seniors susceptible to dementia and several other health issues. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Lincoln live-in home care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust in professional live-in caregivers to enhance his or her quality of life. Call Home Care Assistance at (916) 226-3737 to create a customized in-home care plan for your aging loved one.