Cognitive impairment is common in seniors due to aging and other factors. However, there are healthy lifestyle choices elderly people can make to boost their cognitive health, which includes both short- and long-term memory. Continue reading to learn what your aging loved one can do to boost his or her memory in the senior years.
Take Up Brain Games
Stimulating activities such as puzzles, card games, word searches, and chess can keep older adults alert, trigger memories, and prevent loneliness. These games work out the brain and challenge the mind. Even if your parent loses a game or stops before finishing a puzzle, the activities can boost his or her memory. Merely making an effort to solve a problem or complete a puzzle can stimulate the mind and build connections in the brain.Professional caregivers with training in methods of cognitive stimulation can be a wonderful source of support for seniors. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care services.Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep deprivation prevents seniors from being able to focus and learn new things. Your loved one needs sleep to consolidate his or her memories and have the ability to recall them in the future. Without adequate rest, the brain can become foggy, increasing the risk of poor judgment and reduced motor skills. Creating a safe environment and developing a consistent bedtime routine could enhance your loved one’s sleeping habits and lower the odds of insomnia. Make sure the bedroom is set to a comfortable temperature before bedtime, dim the lights, and turn off background noises such as the television or radio.
Stop Smoking
Smoking cigarettes and cigars can prevent blood and oxygen from flowing to the brain. When this happens, the brain won’t function properly, increasing the chances of memory loss. Promote healthy habits that can reduce your loved one’s urge to smoke, such as hobbies like gardening or arts and crafts. You should also keep healthy snacks nearby for your loved one to eat when he or she is craving a cigarette.
Stay Physically Active
The physical movements associated with dancing, yoga, tai chi, swimming, weight lifting, and other exercises can keep your loved one focused, and they require the use of critical thinking skills. Your parent will need to use his or her memory to perform tasks and store new information while learning different exercises. As a result, your loved one can boost his or her brain health and lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions.If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Des Moines respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Control Stress
Stress can prevent the brain from functioning at optimal levels, and it can also increase the risk of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. You can help your loved one manage stress by learning his or her triggers and avoiding them. For example, if your loved one’s anxiety is increased by certain television shows, turn the channel when those programs are on. Other ways to control stress include staying socially active by volunteering, joining an arts and crafts class, and attending family gatherings. These are things that help seniors manage stress and boost their memory.Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type ofsenior home care. Des Moinesfamilies 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. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (515) 264-2438 today.
