There are many ways to stave off cognitive decline, ranging from eating brain-healthy foods to following a consistent exercise regimen. To maintain long-term brain health, seniors should adopt a number of healthy habits. Here are a few ways to stave off cognitive decline in the elderly.
Encourage Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is a must for seniors who want to keep their minds sharp. Engaging in cardiovascular activities is ideal, as it promotes healthy oxygen flow to the brain. Strength training is also helpful for seniors looking to boost their mental capacity.
Caregivers can help older adults find healthy activities that suit their lifestyles. Attending senior-friendly group exercise classes can be a great motivator, as these workouts are tailored to senior needs and they give seniors a chance to socialize.
Getting regular exercise is just one of the many ways older adults can maintain their health and wellbeing. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Serve Healthy Foods
When seniors follow unhealthy diets, it can affect their physical as well as mental health. Switching to the Mediterranean diet can help older adults ward off cognitive decline. The diet emphasizes eating fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, and lean proteins that contain brain-friendly fatty acids. The Mediterranean diet also includes olive oil, which contains healthy fats that promote brain function. Caregivers can help seniors follow the Mediterranean diet by providing healthy snack and food options such as almonds and fruit salads.
Seniors can also delay the onset of cognitive decline by making healthy lifestyle choices. In Anchorage, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Promote Good Sleep Hygiene
When seniors don’t get enough rest, their overall health is compromised. During sleep, the brain processes new memories and the body prepares itself for a new day. Studies show that seniors who don’t get enough sleep are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Caregivers can help seniors adjust poor sleep schedules. Don’t expect your loved one to change overnight, as many seniors have deeply entrenched habits. Instead, help your parent make gradual adjustments that eventually lead to better, deeper sleep. Make sure your loved one turns off all screens at least an hour before bed, and he or she should also try to maintain regular sleep hours, regardless of whether it’s a weekday or the weekend. Stimulating substances should be avoided before bedtime, and your loved one should only use the bedroom for sleeping.
Encourage Socialization
Establishing social bonds is essential for maintaining a healthy mind. Socialization provides a type of cognitive stimulation that’s difficult to acquire by other means.
Make sure your loved one doesn’t withdraw from society. Help your loved one socialize by finding age-appropriate social activities he or she might enjoy, whether it’s a birdwatching club or a salsa dancing class for seniors.
For families living in Anchorage, 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. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (907) 770-0907 today.