VISITING ANGELS VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 757-216-1934
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Lifestyle Senior Care Factors That Improve Brain Health in Virginia Beach

Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach, VA offer quality senior care for older citizens who want to remain in the home.

It is common for seniors to live longer than they did in previous decades-- this is in part thanks to medicine and technology, people working to keep themselves healthy/active, senior care, and individuals being active members in their community. Sadly, when one begins to age, one also experiences certain pitfalls and hurdles. A significant challenge that seniors experience is cognitive decline or impairment.

The CDC says that age is the most significant risk factor for 16 million Americans with cognitive impairment. They also stated that more than 5 million Americans over the age of 65 are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. These numbers are most likely to rise even higher in the forthcoming decades. Luckily, some steps have been identified that help minimize the risk of developing cognitive impairment and remain healthy and vibrant for longer. 

Our team of senior care providers has curated a list of 10 lifestyle steps that will help improve brain health.

Get Good Sleep

Many studies show how poor sleep is related to cognitive challenges-- good sleep is crucial. Not only is it essential to get a total of 8 hours, but the quality of the rest is also essential. If you find yourself struggling with your sleep, you or your senior care provider should reach out to your primary care provider and set up a sleep study.

Walk It Out

Being active is a sure-fire way to boost your cognitive powers while stopping/slowing down any possible cognitive impairment. When you exercise, you increase your self-esteem and sense of well-being, which can then boost brain performance. Walking is the best exercise to do all this and more. It sends additional blood to the brain, which fuels brain health.

Before beginning any new exercise program, you should make sure to bring up any concerns with your physician. It is also important to remember that you should start slowly and work up to the more intense exercises and moves. 

Eat Foods with Monounsaturated Fatty Acids

Many of us do not eat healthily; most foods are processed and made with refined sugar. While we are aware that these are not the best foods for our waistlines, we should also know that they are harmful to our brains. We should all be aware of the better options we can consume-- like foods that contain monounsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids have been shown to help accelerate brain functioning. They are found in multiple delicious food choices, such as olive oil, almonds, and avocados.

When you or your senior care provider make the next grocery shopping trip, you may consider some of these healthy substitutions. 

Yoga 

Yoga is another option that can help stem better long-term brain health. Many individuals have stress from their day-to-day lives, which can play into cognitive decline. You set aside 20-30 minutes for a yoga session whenever you feel worked up. If yoga is not your thing, you may even try meditation. Many individuals who meditate regularly have reported that it has made a significant impact on their concentration. Senior care providers can help guide yoga and meditation sessions. 

Journal 

Many people view journaling as an outdated activity, but it’s not. Journaling can be cathartic and valuable for those that have any concerns. They can write them down and even brainstorm solutions. Journaling can reduce your stress level, and, in turn, this can boost brain functioning.

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is beneficial when warding off a winter cold, but it’s useful for more than that. Vitamin C-rich foods (like oranges, grapefruits, and peppers) fight off oxidative stress in the body. This type of stress can lead to a decline in cognitive functioning. You can get vitamin c from fruits and veggies, as well as from supplements; senior care providers can help ensure that your loved one is getting enough vitamin c rich foods.

Hydration 

We have all grown up being told that 8 cups of water per day is essential for our overall health. When we are not getting at least 8 cups of water a day, we will become chronically dehydrated. When we uptake our water consumption, we are also flushing various toxins out of our bodies. Water can boost your physical health and brain health. 

Replace Coffee with Tea

Many Americans are equally addicted to the morning cup of coffee. Some people can’t even imagine starting their day without their first cup of coffee. Doctors have shared that coffee may not be the healthiest way to start your day; instead, they recommend starting the day with a cup of tea. Tea has been shown to lead to a much better cognitive function. Additionally, there are many varieties of teas! This replacement provides an unlimited amount of delicious tea options. You could try starting your day with tea alongside your senior care provider. 

Turn off the TV 

People often choose to go straight to watching their favorite tv show. However, tv shows don’t challenge the brain or make you think-- you should consider switching out the tv for another activity, like a book. If you are not a reading fan, you could try a crossword puzzle. When you are making your brain work, you are strengthening it. You could even try board games with a senior care provider. 

Talk to Other People 

Being alone can be challenging and can lead to loneliness. When we age, and our families move away from us, it becomes difficult to spend time with them. Sadly, being alone can exacerbate the cognitive decline. Talking to others is why it is essential to seek out activities that we can engage with others daily. Local clubs in the community are a great way to boost social interactions. Senior care from Visiting Angels can offer ways to find these clubs.  

Keep in touch with Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach

In the end, we can understand that aging is a challenge, with one of the most significant challenges being cognitive decline. Thankfully, cognitive decline is not inevitable-- lifestyle choices can be made that will increase or decrease your likelihood of experiencing these troubling symptoms.

These issues are why you should consider your diet carefully and provide yourself with mindfulness activities. Using these simple steps can assist in improving and boosting your brain health. Additionally, you can seek out senior care to get a helping hand in implementing these lifestyle suggestions-- give Visiting Angels a call today

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Serving Virginia Beach and the South Side

Visiting Angels VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
1642 Pleasure House Rd #104
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: 757-216-1934
HCO-0005142

Serving Virginia Beach and the South Side

Visiting Angels VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
1642 Pleasure House Rd #104
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: 757-216-1934
HCO-0005142