The foods seniors eat can have a major impact on their mental health and cognitive abilities. Countless studies have shown eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can enhance memory, verbal skills, reasoning, hand-eye coordination, and focus. Here are five delicious superfoods that can boost your senior loved one’s brain health and slow age-related cognitive decline.
1. Walnuts
In addition to containing essential amino acids, walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These unique acids boost cognitive function by minimizing inflammation in the brain. Over time, brain inflammation increases the risk of many different mental health disorders, including dementia. Older adults should consider eating four or five walnuts a day.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Avocados
Very few foods are as nutrient-dense as avocados, which is why many health experts suggest eating three or four servings every week. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados boost cardiovascular health and increase blood flow to the brain. Avocados also contain folate, vitamin C, and copper, which boost brain function. According to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the B vitamins found in avocados can strengthen the nervous system as well.
3. Turmeric
The creation of new brain cells is known as neurogenesis, and doctors know very little about what triggers this process. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed certain antioxidants found in turmeric might be able to eliminate some of the plaques that prevent the human body from creating new brain cells. Seniors who don’t regularly cook with this superfood should consider taking supplements that contain concentrated turmeric.
4. Whole Grains
Just like every other organ in the body, the brain needs constant fuel to function properly, which is why many people have a difficult time concentrating or recalling certain information when they’re hungry or their blood sugar levels have dropped too low. Whole grains are slowly metabolized by the body and turned into a key source of fuel known as glucose. Seniors are less likely to experience mental “crashes” after eating whole grains.
Older adults may need help preparing nutritious meals or making healthy lifestyle choices. Potomac 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.
5. Blueberries
When it comes to boosting brain function, very few superfoods are as effective as blueberries. These berries are packed with antioxidants that protect the brain from free radicals and other harmful chemicals. Several studies have shown blueberries might even be able to reverse signs of aging in the brain and repair cells that have been damaged. Blueberries also contain various phytochemicals that have been linked to better memory and reasoning.
Switching to healthy superfoods is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their brain health. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Potomac families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care Potomac to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (301) 363-2580.
