Keeping the brain healthy is a big, but achievable, goal for seniors. The problem is sometimes that seniors don’t know what they can start doing right away that will truly make a difference in brain health. It’s a lot easier than they suspect. If seniors have risk factors for cognitive illnesses, they definitely need to put some of these steps into action. Having help from senior home care services can make it easier to put a plan together that is easy to maintain.
Stay Physically Active as Much as Possible
Seniors who haven’t been physically active to any great extent for a while should talk to their doctors about how much activity is right for them before they start any new exercise plans. Once they have an idea what is safe to do, seniors should prioritize moving every single day. Choosing activities that match their interests and fitness levels can keep them going with their movement plans.
Seek Out Mental Stimulation
The brain needs exercise, too, so seeking out mentally stimulating activities needs to be part of the plan for boosting brain health. This doesn’t have to be complicated, however. Choosing activities like solving puzzles, reading, learning something new, or participating in brain-training games and apps all help. What matters most is that seniors engage in these activities regularly.
Get Quality Sleep Regularly
Something else that needs to happen regularly is sleep. Sleep is when the brain consolidates memories and processes the day’s thoughts and activities. Seniors who don’t get enough quality sleep find that they experience more difficulty with brain fog and brain health overall. Adopting healthy sleep habits means making a routine, and senior home care providers can help with this.
Prioritize a Healthy Diet
Seniors need to eat foods that are rich in nutrients in order to keep their bodies and brains as healthy as possible. That’s not always easy to do when cooking and meal planning feel overwhelming. Senior home care providers can pick up the slack here, ensuring that older adults are eating plenty of healthy foods without having to worry about the logistics involved.
Stay Socially Engaged
Socializing is way more important for brain health than many older people realize. When seniors maintain strong social connections, they’re less likely to experience cognitive issues. Socialization is stimulating for the brain, which makes it something to seek regularly.
Manage Stress as Well as Possible
Everyone experiences stress, but the people who manage it as well as they can tend to fare better on the health front. That means brain health, too. When seniors have the help that they need to stay healthy and to live life on their own terms, their stress levels tend to decrease.
Senior home care professionals can make a big dent in all of these goals for aging adults. They can help seniors to stay on target and can make it a lot easier for seniors to choose the activities that are going to best support better brain health both now and in the future.
