A healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, fish, vegetables, and olive oil fights disease and boosts cognitive function. Walnuts and salmon, which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, are recommended for excellent brain health. Antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, chocolate, and green tea can boost the immune system and reduce the signs of aging. Green tea is a healthy diet addition, but it contains caffeine. Serve green tea in the morning for an energized start, or avoid it if your loved one is sensitive to caffeine.
A professional caregiver can ensure your loved one eats healthy meals and enjoys a higher quality of life. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Visit Friends
Social activity combats depression, a mental disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest, and suicidal thoughts. Depression is also a risk factor for developing dementia. Engaging in social activities reduces the risk of depression and promotes healthy cognitive function. If your loved one is housebound, encourage him or her to schedule online video chats with friends and family members, host bedside card games, or join an online book club to fight depression and boost mental wellness.
3. Exercise the Brain
Using the brain is one of the best ways to keep it sharp with age. Crossword puzzles, number games, and strategy games such as chess are good options that can boost cognitive function. You can also engage your loved one in dialogue that encourages active problem solving to retain his or her brainpower.
Seniors experiencing cognitive decline due to conditions such as age-related dementia might need caregivers with special expertise in boosting cognitive health. If you’re looking for reliable dementia care, Rhode Island Home Care Assistance offers high-quality at-home care for seniors who are managing the challenges of cognitive decline. We offer a revolutionary program called the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), which uses mentally stimulating activities to boost cognitive health in the elderly. CTM has proven to help seniors with dementia regain a sense of pride and accomplishment and learn how to engage with others in an enjoyable way.
4. Stop Smoking
Smoking may contribute to the loss of cognitive function among the elderly. Help your loved one stop smoking if necessary, and remove all tobacco products from the home to encourage a smoke-free environment. The doctor can help your loved one stop smoking or using other tobacco products.
5. Schedule Regular Checkups
Some diseases can reduce cognitive function by causing organ damage or symptoms that interfere with brain function, such as confusion or memory loss caused by untreated diabetes. Schedule annual checkups to reduce your parent’s risk of disease-related cognitive decline, and visit the doctor if your loved one has any unexplained symptoms.
6. Manage Stress
One of the worst things for the brain is chronic stress. This issue can damage the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that forms new memories and retrieves old memories. Seniors who experience increased levels of stress and anxiety are at higher risk for experiencing memory loss. However, managing stress can boost your loved one’s brain health. If your loved one experiences high stress levels, consider stress management options such as gardening, journaling, and meditating. Your loved one’s physician can also recommend stress relief options.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Rhode Island Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (401) 284-0979