Brain-Stimulating Activities for Seniors in Bethesda, MD

A healthy brain is essential for everyone, but it's much more critical for the elderly. Adults above the age of 65 are more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment. Not only does the danger of suffering a stroke, dementia or memory loss increase with age, but seniors are more prone to isolate themselves and avoid social activities due to age-related issues, which may harm brain health.

When we provide home care for seniors at Visiting Angels of Bethesda, we look at each individual as a whole in order to give the best possible service. We are concerned with more than simply physical well-being. We are equally concerned with mental and emotional well-being. So, when we care for seniors in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Aspen Hill and other Maryland cities, our caregivers discover methods to keep them entertained while simultaneously stimulating their brains and lowering the risk of cognitive decline.

If you're concerned about the mental health of a senior loved one, here are some enjoyable and simple activities they can engage in to keep sharp.

Find Mentally Challenging Activities

According to Harvard Med, the greatest hobbies for exercising the brain are those that are difficult and need a lot of experience. This is due to the fact that these activities challenge seniors to attempt something new (or a new method to accomplish what they already know), demand a combination of brain processes such as problem-solving and creative thinking and require seniors to repeat the same task, which helps them remember it.

When spending time with a senior loved one, consider playing a board or card game to keep their mind fresh. You might also advise they do something creative, such as painting, learning a new instrument or just listening to music. A new fitness program may help the person you care about feel and think better if they are more active.

Even if your loved one spends the whole day alone, there are several activities they may engage in to keep their wits fresh. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku can help your loved one broaden their thoughts, while reading can teach them new things.

Learning Something New

Your loved one's mental health can improve in a lot of ways if they learn new things. Picking up new knowledge or learning a new skill helps compensate for the loss of brain capacity that occurs with aging since your brain continues to grow. According to the American Society for Aging, committing to learning new things might potentially help you prevent dementia.

There are several opportunities for seniors to gain new skills. For example, your loved one's local senior center may provide programs in which folks may acquire new skills or facts that they were previously unaware of (it will also give your loved one a chance to socialize with other seniors in their community). Local libraries not only provide books on a variety of topics, but some also offer lectures and seminars that your loved one will appreciate. Even if your loved one is unable to leave their home, there are apps and online programs available to assist them in learning a new language, a new skill, fresh facts about something they are currently interested in and much more.

Socializing

Staying socially engaged may benefit a senior's emotional health as much as their cognitive health. According to one study, seniors who were socially engaged had a 70 percent decreased risk of cognitive impairment. However, if your loved one has age-related mobility issues that make it difficult for them to get out and spend time with friends and family, can't drive themselves to social gatherings because they can't see well enough or forgets significant occasions, it may be difficult for them to be sociable.

You and your family should visit your loved one as much as possible. For example, you could phone a loved one after work and talk to them about their day. When your loved one comes to visit, they may also spend meaningful time with individuals they care about. Social media is also an excellent method to communicate with a senior loved one who lives far away.

Stay Healthy

Maintaining good physical health may also aid prevent cognitive decline in the elderly and delay the rate at which they lose their memories. Encourage the person you care about to maintain a schedule that keeps them active. For example, they may go for a stroll in a local park every morning or watch a workout DVD. Even mild exercise may raise their heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain.

A balanced diet might also assist your loved one maintain mental sharpness. Certain foods, such as strawberries and peppers, may aid reduce cognitive deterioration. It also allows your loved one to explore new meals and learn new recipes.

How Can Home Care from Visiting Angels of Bethesda Help My Senior Loved One Stay Sharp?

At Visiting Angels of Bethesda, our professional caregivers can assist your loved one in finding activities that they will enjoy and will help stimulate their brain.

Some of the ways we can help your loved one include:

Driving them to and from classes so they can learn something new
Preparing healthy meals
Providing meaningful companionship and conversation to fulfill their need for social interaction
Helping them learn how to use social media and other digital tools to stay in touch with friends and family through our Social Care program
Accompanying them on daily strolls

With Visiting Angels of Bethesda's in-home care services, you can rest easy knowing that someone is looking after your loved one and making sure they are doing activities that keep their brain sharp.

Call Visiting Angels of Bethesda at 301-490-9050 to schedule a free in-home consultation today!