If your parent is like many seniors, he or she may be concerned about the memory loss often associated with aging. The good news is that while some age-related cognitive decline is inevitable, simple habits can keep memory keen. Here are a few suggestions.
- Use the Non-Dominant Hand
Doing simple tasks with the non-dominant hand every once in a while maps new neural pathways, a key component of learning and memory. Seniors should try swapping from right to left (or vice versa) when brushing their hair or teeth, making a sandwich, or performing other everyday chores.
A professional caregiver with training and expertise in methods of cognitive stimulation can be a wonderful asset for your loved one. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s 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.
- Exercise Regularly
Just like the rest of the body, the brain needs regular exercise to stay healthy. If it’s safe for your loved one to do moderate or vigorous physical activity, he or she can try aerobics, swimming, gardening, or even walking.
- Eat Fatty Fish
In a large-scale study by the Women’s Health Initiative, women who ate a diet rich in unsaturated fat were less likely to experience age-related cognitive decline than women who ate a significant amount of saturated fat. Unsaturated fat is found in fatty fish like salmon, avocados, and vegetable oil, while saturated fat is found in red meat and fried food.
An in-home caregiver can help your loved one prepare nutritious, brain-boosting meals. In Potomac, at-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Try Some Yoga
Even doing just a few simple meditative yoga poses each morning can sharpen focus and boost memory retention. And as a bonus, these types of exercises also increase flexibility.
- Learn Something New
In one study, seniors who spent an hour learning how to use a new iPad app fared better on general memory tests than seniors who spent the same amount of time doing something fun that didn’t involve learning a new skill.
- Do the Morning Crossword
By the same token, games that challenge the brain build new neural pathways and boost memory. Encourage your loved one to complete a daily crossword while enjoying his or her coffee or tea each morning.
With the help of an in-home caregiver, your loved one can have more time to enjoy things that stimulate his or her mind. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Potomac, MD, 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. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us at (301) 363-2580.
