Best at Home Activities to Keep the Senior Mind Active
As you age, your brain’s volume gradually shrinks.
When this occurs, the nerve cells in your brain can shrink or lose connection with other nerve cells, which causes cognitive changes to occur.
Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating but keeping the mind active can help reduce cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia.
Just as physical exercise strengthens the body, cognitive training stimulates and strengthens the brain, and it's never too late to begin exercising the most important muscle in your body.
There are a variety of activities that can be done at home to exercise the mind and boost memory and thinking skills. These activities can include:
1. Physical exercise
Since the body and mind are interconnected, activity helpful to the body can also benefit the brain. Regular exercise goes a long way toward improving your memory and cognitive skills.
2. Playing an instrument or listening to music
Not only is listening to or playing music enjoyable, but it also improves memory function in aging adults.
3. Playing card or board games
Games that make you think and strategize can help keep your mind sharp, especially when you learn to play a new game!
4. Reading and writing
You can incorporate more reading and writing into your daily life by reading books, magazines, a local newspaper, journaling, writing letters to loved ones, and reading blogs.
5. Continue learning
The best way to strengthen the mind is to continue to challenge and fuel it by learning new things. Continuing to gather and memorize new information will exercise the brain and stimulate cognitive function. Learning doesn’t have to be boring either, you can learn:
- How to garden
- New cooking recipes
- How to play an instrument
- How to draw or paint
- Photography
Decreasing changes in the brain can reduce the slowing of your cognitive processes in later life stages and potentially reduce the onset of dementia.
If a loved one does develop a form of dementia, Senior Helpers has Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care services available to you. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan with our Senior Gems program catered to your loved one’s needs.
Our care team has extensive training and experience in providing the right level of individual care and support with activities to encourage engagement in daily life, stimulate the brain, and create opportunities for social interaction.
As leading industry experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, you can trust Senior Helpers to make sure your loved one’s life, and yours, is much easier and more enjoyable. Visit our website to locate our closest Senior Helpers location to you.