The risk of developing neurological disorders increases with age, which is why the elderly need to take care of their minds and bodies. Here are some of the unique ways older adults can prevent mental issues and boost their brain health.
1. Doodle on a Notepad
Young people sometimes doodle in class to pass the time away, but doodling is also a unique way for aging adults to stimulate the brain and memory. Doodling on a piece of paper can help your senior loved one focus, retain information, and grasp new concepts. It’s best to doodle on a blank piece of paper because it gives the brain the ability to explore new ideas, revise, and enhance the creative thought process.
Maintaining a healthy brain can boost overall health in the golden years. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care Oakville families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
2. Move the Eyes Back & Forth
Moving the eyes from side to side can stimulate the memory and stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The horizontal eye movement activates and provides a link between the two brain hemispheres, increasing concentration levels. It’s best to do these eye movements one time in the morning, for no more than 30 seconds. This unique brain activity can help your loved one perform better when doing memory tasks.
3. Laugh More
When it comes to short-term memory, laughing is a great way to stimulate the brain. Laughter can lower levels of cortisol, which is a hormone associated with stress. Anxiety and stress can have a negative impact on the brain, causing seniors to forget the simplest things, including the name of their children or something they ate earlier in the day. A good dose of laughter from reading a joke or watching a movie could have a positive effect on your loved one’s brain health.
Laughing is always better with company, and having a professional caregiver around to share conversation with is a great way for your loved one to have more opportunities to laugh. For families living in Oakville, 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.
4. Drink Raw Juice
Fruits and vegetables are brain-boosting foods that can lower the symptoms of depression, enhancing an aging adult’s emotional health. Being depressed makes it difficult to concentrate and could lead to forgetfulness, confusion, and irritation, which could disrupt daily activities and lead to memory loss. However, drinking raw fruit and vegetable juices can reduce oxidative stress, prevent mood swings, increase concentration, and lower the risk of insomnia.
When creating brain-stimulating juice recipes, your loved one should use the following raw fruits and vegetables:
- Kiwi
- Bananas
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cucumbers
- Apples
- Carrots
5. Use Unusual Fonts
When typing on the computer, a laptop, or smartphone, seniors should apply a fun and unusual font for the text. It should take a great deal of concentration and focus to read the unique font. Make sure the font size is legible and large so your loved one can read it. The objective is to increase concentration and make it easier to remember the things he or she types out.
When older adults keep their brains healthy, they have a better chance of aging in place successfully. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading elderly care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. If you’d like to schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call today at (905) 337-1200