Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer’s for Seniors in Eldersburg, MD

Not only does Visiting Angels provide quality Alzheimer's care, but we also provide home care services that help seniors in Eldersburg, Westminster, Ellicott City, Baltimore, Randallstown, Sykesville, Columbia, MD and surrounding areas make healthy lifestyle choices that reduce their risk of getting diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting almost 6 million senior Americans. As it is a progressive, incurable condition that gradually takes a heavy toll on one's quality of life, older adults should do whatever they can to reduce the risks of being diagnosed with this cognitive condition later in life.

Although there is currently no cure, there are many lifestyle choices seniors can make that promote good brain health and minimize the risk of Alzheimer's. At Visiting Angels Eldersburg, not only do our home care services include Alzheimer's care, but they also include supporting seniors in making healthy choices in order to stay independent for longer.

Mental Stimulation

Mentally stimulating activities are a great way to improve cognitive faculties, boost overall brain health and reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's. In a National Institute of Health (NIH) ACTIVE study, seniors who engaged in at least 10 sessions of mental training improved their cognitive functioning months after the training and showed long-lasting improvements a decade later.

Your mom or dad should learn new skills like playing an instrument or learning a foreign language, or get better at hobbies they already enjoy, practice memorization, play strategy games and solve puzzles and crosswords in order to stay mentally stimulated. Our home care services include providing companionship as seniors engage in their favorite activities.

Regular Exercise

It goes without saying that seniors who engage in regular exercise can reap a number of health benefits, bit did you know that an exercise regimen can help prevent Alzheimer's disease, too? The Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation funded a research which concluded that individuals who participate in regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing cognitive conditions by as much as 50 percent. To stay in good shape, your parent should opt for cardio and strength training with a focus on balance and coordination and punch in at least 150 minutes of senior-friendly exercise on a weekly basis.

If your loved one has trouble remembering to exercise or finding a good place to work out, our caregivers can help. Our home care services include providing reminders and transportation so your loved one can stick to a regular exercise routine.

Eat Healthy

As you probably know, your loved one's diet and eating habits play a pivotal role in their overall health and can greatly contribute to minimizing the risk of cognitive decline. If you find yourself short on time to prepare healthy meals for your parent, there is another option: you can rely on our home care services to provide meal preparation.

One of our dedicated caregivers can prepare nutritious meals according to Mom or Dad&'s preferences, make sure they avoid unhealthy foods saturated in trans fats, refrain from eating too much candy or salty snacks, and enjoy a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fats instead.

Social Activity

Another great option that promotes healthy cognitive functioning is staying socially active. Encourage your parent to enjoy weekly senior-friendly activities with peers, join a club or local social group, hear from their friends more often, and use popular social media channels to keep in touch with family out of town. All these activities can help your loved one to boost their social well-being and avoid Alzheimer's.

Visiting Angels Eldersburg can help your loved one stay socially engaged. Our home care services include providing transportation to senior centers and other places where older adults socialize, providing meaningful companionship and conversation and helping seniors learn how to use digital technology to stay in touch with loved ones through the Social Care program.

Good Sleeping Habits

Chronic sleeping issues can significantly amplify the risk of developing Alzheimer's. To help your loved one get enough sleep, your loved one should adhere to regular sleeping schedules, avoid napping too much during the day, remove distracting TV or computer screens from the bedroom and create a calming pre-bedtime routine such as drinking a cup of tea or taking a relaxing bath.

Our home care services are available 24/7, including overnight. Our caregivers can be scheduled so they can help your loved one put on their pajamas, take a relaxing bath and make sure they don't wake up and wander around at night.

Minimize Stress

Unmanaged stress is one of the major risk factors for being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By finding ways to relieve stress, your parent can also ward off the risk of developing cognitive issues. There are a number of activities your loved one can opt for – walking in the park, doing yoga, meditating or praying are just some of the best stress-relieving strategies.

Reach out to our Eldersburg, MD office to learn more on how personalized home care services from Visiting Angels can help boost your loved one's independence and prevent the risks of Alzheimer's. We are happy to help!