Three activities that increase brain function
Has a senior loved one been struggling to recall memories with family members or the name of an old friend? As we age, these things get harder to remember. That is why it is important to exercise the brain regularly.
As we grow, our brain and its functions grow with us. However, that means as we age, it becomes even more vital to keep our brain engaged in daily cognitive activities.
Why Exercising Cognitive Skills Is Important
It is important to exercise cognitive skills to maintain brain health and the well-being of your body. An unhealthy mind can lead to depression, premature death, high blood pressure, obesity, and more. These effects appear gradually and can become worse as time goes on.
Utilizing cognitive skills can become challenging for older adults as they age. Naturally, it can be difficult to do the things you once could at a younger age, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost! Keeping the brain healthy starts with everyday activities that exercise cognitive skills to improve functionality.
There are plenty of activities that are both fun and healthy to partake in daily! Your senior loved one may be doing brain-building activities each day already. However, if that is not the case, their Visiting Angels Farmington/Cape Girardeau caregiver can assist with finding brain-healthy activities and ensure your loved one is using their brain to its full capacity.
Here are three activities your senior loved one can do right now to get started!
Puzzles, Wordsearches, and Crossword Puzzles
As a child putting puzzles together, completing word searches, and solving crossword puzzles were likely a few of your favorite activities. But did you know these fun activities were improving your brain function? It's true!
These activities help with problem-solving skills, paying attention to detail, and memory retention. As older adults complete more of these activities, they will feel motivated to do them more often.
If you are worried about your loved one's eyesight or physical limitations, there are large-print word searches and crossword puzzles, as well as puzzles with large pieces. This makes it accessible and easier for everyone to use.
Board Games
A classic board game is always a fun activity to do with a group or one-on-one.
Playing a board game works with critical thinking skills, memory, reasoning, and much more. Strategic games such as chess and checkers are great options because it challenges older adults to plan and visualize their moves and opponents' moves. Strategic games also involve weighing pros and cons to ensure solid decision-making.
If chess and checkers aren't your favorite games, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Traditional games such as Sorry!, Monopoly and Scrabble are also fun, helpful options for older adults.
Socialization
It's true. A simple conversation can go a long way.
Having daily one-on-one conversations or conversations in group settings allows brain functions to regularly be exercised. These conversations challenge older adults to remember names, faces, and past conversations. Cognitive skills such as paying attention and critical thinking can also be utilized, depending on the conversation.
In-home care from Visiting Angels Farmington/Cape Girardeau makes everyday conversation easier for the clients we care for. Our caregivers act as a companion in addition to helping with daily activities.
Improvement is Possible
Implementing the activities above will produce stellar results.
With the in-home care that Visiting Angels of Farmington/Cape Girardeau provides, you no longer need to worry whether your loved one is stimulating their brain. Our caregivers specialize in ensuring our clients age well. Making sure that the brain stays sharp is a part of that process.
A Visiting Angels Farmington/Cape Girardeau in-home caregiver can ensure that your older loved one participates in daily activities to keep cognitive skills strong. Whether it is completing a crossword puzzle, playing a fun board game, or holding an engaging conversation, a qualified in-home caregiver will build these activities into your loved one's schedule.