It is not uncommon for seniors to experience moderate forgetfulness. This, however, does not mean that the golden years have to be plagued by a progressive decline in memory and overall cognition. There are a number of things that seniors can do to maintain optimal brain health.
Eat Right
Orlando home care experts recommend seniors strive to maintain healthy diets by limiting their intake of excess sugar, sodium, and trans fats. Too much of any of these things can lead to hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and other health issues. They should, however, focus on getting plenty of the right fats in their diets. Fats found in nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, coconuts and fatty fish are great for brain health. It is additionally important for aging adults to eat a colorful array of fresh produce and to place a strong emphasis on getting plenty of dark, leafy greens, bright-colored berries and orange foods like yams and carrots. All of these provide important antioxidants and phytonutrients that support brain health.
Learn, Learn, Learn
The brain is often likened to a muscle in that it increases in strength and all-around flexibility the more it is used. Many seniors do not prioritize new learning, and yet new learning is critical at this stage of life. Taking part in music or art classes, learning a new language or taking up new hobbies will help strengthen existing neural connections and build new ones.
Stay Social
Social engagement is also vital for supporting brain health. Regularly connecting with old friends, meeting new people, or even having regular visits from an hourly caregiver can foster a strong memory. Many seniors experience loneliness, anxiety and depression, all of which can take a significant toll on physical and mental health. By staying connected and avoiding isolation, aging adults can remain proactive, positive, alert and high in energy, which will in turn protect the brain and its overall functioning.
Exercise
Exercise is essential at every stage of life, however, seniors can gain a number of special benefits from regular. For instance, the opposite arm and leg movements that walking and jogging entail help strengthen important neural connections. Cardiovascular exercises like swimming, cycling and dancing improve blood circulation and make it easier for the heart to pump blood all the way up to the brain. In addition to delivering more nutrients to the brain, better blood flow will also help route more toxins out of this area.
Sleep Well
Sleep fitness is just as important as physical fitness when it comes to protecting memory. For seniors, getting to sleep and staying asleep can be a special challenge given the increased number of aches and pains that aging adults often contend with. Absent of sufficient rest, people of all ages are apt to be more forgetful and to have a harder time focusing. Fortunately, with improved diets, robust social lives and regular exercise many people will find that getting a good night’s rest is a lot easier.
As a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care in Prestige, Prestige Home Care strives to provide community members with brain boosting tips, helpful information, and ways seniors can preserve memory. To learn more, reach out to our office at (407) 232-7155 and speak with a friendly Care Manager today.