As our loved ones age, it is increasingly important to keep their minds active. The brain is just like any other muscle— it needs to be exercised to maintain its strength. That mental fitness can be maintained through cognitive activities for your elderly loved ones to improve memory, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.
Importance Of Cognitive Health
The human brain is a complex organ that impacts every aspect of our daily function. In short, our brain’s fitness allows us to maintain our memory retention and learning ability. It also helps with understanding our emotional intelligence, and even our motor skills.
Health Tips To Promote Cognitive Health
Physical health and mental health go hand-in-hand. Keep both in check by:
- Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Getting regular health screenings
- Managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
- Not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
- Sleeping well
Talk to your medical provider about specific exercises or dietary changes that can be made to maintain your brain health. If considering any medications or supplements, follow your doctor’s instructions.
Top Activities That Promote Cognitive Health
Word Games
A recent study found a connection between word games and better cognitive function among seniors. Games like Scrabble, Boggle, or Words with Friends, for example, stimulate the portion of the brain that deals with processing speed and memory ability. They even provide seniors social interaction.
Seniors stay engaged and entertained when you play games with them. Make things even easier for seniors with poor eyesight by finding large print versions of their favorite word games.
Puzzles
Puzzle games of all kinds are popular with older adults everywhere. From Sudoku to crossword puzzles, seniors can stimulate their memory skills, train their problem-solving abilities, and even grow their vocabulary. They’re a great option for many seniors because they can be played at anytime, anywhere. All seniors need is their phone or puzzle book.
Reading and Writing
Reading books will help your loved one improve memory skills and understand complex concepts. Writing helps with memory recall and encourages your loved one to think creatively. Encourage your loved one to do both, and they may even develop a new hobby along the way.
Crafting
Whether, painting, woodworking, or spinning pottery, any arts and crafts activities will help keep your elderly loved one stimulated. They encourage your loved one to think creatively while forcing them to engage their fine motor skills.
Exercise
As mentioned above, physical health has a major impact on your loved one’s mental health. Motivate your elderly loved on to take their health into their own hands with exercise. Studies show that physical activity helps improve memory recall and lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia in older adults.
Board Games
Checks and chess are some of the most popular activities among those over 65, and for good reason. These types of cognitively stimulating games help with memory retention and problem-solving. They have been shown to improve brain activity in older adults by up to 20% as a result.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to mentally and physically engage seniors. In addition, it gets them out of the home and encourages them to need new people with similar interests. Many seniors also feel a sense of fulfillment in giving back to their communities.
Anyone caring for seniors knows how difficult it is to see a family member in cognitive decline. When caring for your elderly loved one, you should incorporate a component of mental stimulation to keep their brains sharp. Studies suggest these sorts of activities can positively impact cognitive impairment.
Home Care Services May be an Answer for Seniors
If your senior requires assistance, but it isn’t time to place them in a nursing home, an in-home care aide is a viable option. In-home caregivers from home care agencies can provide a variety of care for seniors who struggle with daily living but do not need constant medical care. This includes:
- Personal care. Bathing, dressing, and toileting can be difficult for. A professionally trained caregiver can relieve the stress associated with these daily functions.
- Errands. As seniors age, driving can grow to be dangerous. This makes doing tasks like going to the post office or pharmacy on their own difficult.
- Social interaction and companionship. Social isolation has been associated with a 50% increase in the risk of cognitive decline. Home care aides can help reduce that risk.
- Medication reminders. Caregivers can keep seniors on track of their medications by reminding them to take their medication or even setting a schedule.
Call us today at (623) 526-6367 to ask if home Home Care Arizona can help.
