For some people, cognitive decline is a natural part of aging. However, there are many things seniors and their caregivers can do to slow this process. With the right lifestyle and high-quality care, aging adults can boost their brain health and retain their independence. Here are a few tips on how to boost a senior’s brain health.
Implement a Balanced Diet
Aging can lead to slow metabolism, which makes it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight. While seniors should adjust their diets in relation to reduced physical activity and metabolic functioning, they should still get plenty of healthy fats. The brain consists of about 60 percent fat, and it needs a regular supply of healthy fats to maintain an optimal level of functioning. Implementing a low-fat or entirely fat-free diet at this stage of life can be detrimental to brain health. Almonds, salmon, pecans, olives, olive oil, avocados, coconuts, and coconut oil are some of the many high-fat foods for supporting brain health.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Greater Portland, OR, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Establish an Exercise Plan
Seniors and their caregivers should work together to establish feasible workout plans that can be easily maintained over the long term. During the senior years, regular exercise promotes better blood circulation and makes it easier for the body to route sufficient nutrients to every part of the body. It also speeds up toxin removal, relieves stress, and balances mood. All of these things contribute to better brain functioning.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of elderly home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Encourage Lifelong Learning
The brain works like a muscle. The more it’s used, the stronger and more capable it becomes. Learning activities help the brain build new neural pathways, which increases the likelihood of building long-term memories and connections. The senior years are the perfect time to pick up a new instrument, learn a new language, or to go back to school for a new degree. Structured learning can boost cognitive functioning and memory and provide a sense of accomplishment and opportunities to socialize.
Offer Encouragement to Quit Smoking
Smoking can be detrimental to brain health because it narrows the arteries and makes it difficult for the body to route oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Although quitting can be challenging, seniors now have access to a range of smoking cessation products for managing nicotine withdrawal. You can also ask your loved one’s doctor to recommend a good smoking cessation program. These programs provide comprehensive plans that ensure cessation efforts are successful.
Check for Underlying Causes of Memory Loss
Preventative care is important throughout the senior years. When your loved one experiences memory loss, it’s vital to let his or her regular doctor investigate the matter. Thyroid disease, chronic depression, and diabetes are a few health conditions that can contribute to decreased memory. No matter what the underlying cause of cognitive decline may be, receiving routine medical care is a way to get a timely diagnosis and an effective plan for mitigating mental health issues.
If your loved one needs more mentally stimulating activities to keep his or her mind sharp, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. Greater Portland families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today.