The brain is like a muscle, and just like your calves, hamstrings and back, it needs exercise to stay strong. Seniors who are at risk for dementia or have Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from purposefully working their brains to improve memory and cognitive functioning. Here are a few tips to help your older loved ones keep their minds sharp:
Workout regularly
The saying, “A healthy body is a healthy mind” rings true. According to Harvard Medical School, exercising causes the brain to release chemicals like serotonin that reduce anxiety and boost your mood. Getting moving also stimulates the creation of new cells in the brain, which aids in retaining memories. Exercising for seniors should involve only activities they are capable of and comfortable with performing. For example, not every older person wants to run a 5K race, but some are in shape and have no medical issues like arthritis or difficulty balancing that would interfere with their safety. Less mobile seniors can try isometric exercises like hatha yoga that involve slow stretching instead of strenuous movements. Even walking has benefits, so don’t discount a workout method just because it’s not fast and doesn’t leave the heart racing!
Pay attention to posture
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrote that aging, physical disabilities and chronic illnesses can cause seniors to develop bad posture. Sitting, standing and even lying down in a position that does not properly align the spine can have serious consequences for the mind. Plus, maintaining good posture can help seniors avoid falls and reduce their risk of developing arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.
Fast Company shared that the way people carry themselves affects their mood. This theory, called embodied cognition, states that sitting with slumped shoulders may make you feel sad, which causes you to slump further. Seniors can boost their cognitive functioning and improve their mood by sitting up straight with a supported back or standing with equal weight on each foot.
Get creative
Parents encourage young children to draw, paint and dance because creativity helps their young brains develop. According to The Lancet, this same idea holds true for seniors. Encourage your loved one to sculpt, garden, make jokes and take photographs. These activities can be done anywhere and offer a great way for people with Alzheimer’s to express themselves. You may even make it a family activity and get younger relatives in on the fun.
Listening to and playing music is another creative endeavor that may improve a senior’s memory. We all have a few songs that stir feelings of nostalgia and take us back to a certain moment in time. Seniors can benefit from this phenomenon as melodies and harmonies can serve as a trigger for their brains to recall a certain experience. Playing an instrument or singing involves using muscle memory, which promotes cognitive growth and improved recall abilities. Plus, it’s fun for caregivers to listen to their loved ones playing songs that have special meaning for them.
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