Activities that Can Boost a Senior's Brain Health

6 Things Aging Adults Can Do to Enhance Their Cognitive Abilities

January 2, 2023

Brain health becomes increasingly important as a person ages. Cognitive decline can include memory loss, an inability to focus, and difficulty with speech, all of which can inhibit personal growth and happiness. Adding these brain-stimulating activities to your aging loved one’s weekly routine can help your parent retain his or her abilities for longer.

1. Sing or Play an Instrument

Professional caregivers who work with seniors who have memory loss often use songs to stimulate memories. If you’ve ever heard a song and felt thrown back to your wedding or your teenage years, you’ve experienced this phenomenon yourself. Singing and playing instruments activate parts of the brain associated with memory recall, and rehearsing strengthens concentration.A professional caregiver with training and expertise in methods of cognitive stimulation can be a wonderful asset for your loved one. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of respite care. Edmonton families can rely on Butterfly Dreams Respite 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 stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

2. Go Dancing

Seniors who have the ability to stand up and move their feet can benefit from the extra boost of blood flow dancing sends to their brains. With each foxtrot or line dance, your loved one’s brain receives essential oxygen that helps it stay healthy. Plus, learning those dance moves is just as effective as playing brain training games for helping with memory retention. If your loved one isn’t mobile, he or she can still enjoy similar benefits by doing movements in a chair or bed.

3. Do Tai Chi

This meditative form of exercise gives the brain a chance to be relaxed while receiving mild stimulation that enhances its processes. Similar to dancing, tai chi gets the blood moving throughout the body, which is important for neural synapses. Tai chi also maintains the mind-body connection that’s critical for helping the brain communicate with the rest of the body’s systems.

4. Spin Poi

The Maori people of New Zealand are credited with bringing the art of poi dancing to the world. Today, modern versions of this performance art have been adapted to fit the needs of seniors, and it’s well-known for providing cognitive as well as physical benefits. Learning to spin poi involves moving the props across both sides of the body along with spinning them in different directions at the same time. These cross-body movements require concentration, and they strengthen communication between both sides of the brain.Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional convalescent care, Edmonton, AB. Family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Butterfly Dreams Respite Care. Our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

5. Attend a Social Event

Socializing feels fun for seniors, and spending time talking with others works wonders for maintaining brain health. During conversations, your loved one will need to rely on his or her memory to recall people’s names and the information he or she wants to contribute. If your loved one feels nervous about socializing with memory loss, consider having a companion accompany him or her to events. The companion can supply helpful information and give your loved one more confidence while your parent builds social skills.

6. Play a Trivia Game

Brain games are still essential activities for helping seniors stay cognitively strong. Trivia games can be found online and on streaming services that allow your loved one to play in new ways. Consider hosting a family trivia night, or you can challenge your parent to a one-on-one game. Everyone will learn something new, and your loved one will get a huge brain boost every time you play.Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional respite care. Edmonton, AB, Butterfly Dreams Respite Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at 587-800-4822 today.