Our minds and bodies slow down as we age, which is why it’s important to do all you can to stay active in your later years. Exercising the mind is key to maintaining your quality of life while in an assisted living facility. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep your mind sharp!
Mind-Stimulating Activities
Physical exercise can be difficult if you’re experiencing bouts of pain due to illness or disease. Weather can also affect how often you are able to move around outdoors. Luckily, mentally-stimulating activities have fewer limitations and are oftentimes easier to practice.
- Read books. Reading builds connections within your brain that promote versatility and is a hobby that can be enjoyed alone or as a group. Discussing what you have read with others helps you better absorb and understand the information.
- Learn a new skill. Explore a new language, learn to play an instrument, or try your hand at watercolor painting.
- Play memory games. When we think of memory games, we often think of the ones we played as children. But these types of exercises can be beneficial to the elderly as well. Try games like trivia to take your memory testing a step further!
- Be social. Taking part in social events in your community is a great way to make new friends and converse with others. Simply communicating with other people allows you great opportunities to learn new things.
How Does the Brain Change?
When you’re young, your brain develops rapidly as you are exposed to new things. As you age, there are many factors that play a part in the slowing down of that mental development. Some of the most common changes that occur to your brain as you age are:
- A loss of neurons that cannot be replaced
- Fat deposits accumulating within brain cells that hinder functionality
- A slowed-down speed at which messages are sent from one part of the brain to another
Mental Stimulation and Alzheimer’s
Researchers believe that these age-related changes that affect the mind are influenced greatly by lifestyle choices. It’s no surprise that keeping the mind active is now known to slow mental decline and delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s, like dementia.
Kenwood Care provides exceptional assisted living in Maryland and is dedicated to helping their residents stay as mentally and physically active as possible to maintain their quality of life. For more information on our services, contact us today.