Brain Exercises to Prevent Dementia: Simple Habits That Keep Minds Active
Brain exercises to prevent dementia aren't just a preferable way to manage senior mental fitness; they are essential for keeping your mind sharp into your retirement years. Participate in activities such as puzzles and listening to music to form habits that resist the onset of dementia.
Did you know that approximately 6.7 million adults in the United States live with dementia? According to the CDC, that figure will double by 2060, with over 10 million people, mostly seniors, suffering from a debilitating and incurable condition.
For seniors in Carroll, OH, combating dementia starts before you begin to show symptoms. In this article, we will explore some of the most impactful ways you can prevent the onset of dementia and retain your cognitive abilities.
How Can I Train My Brain to Prevent Dementia?
Thinking about everything you must do to prevent dementia can be overwhelming. Rather than diving into everything at once, choose a few methods to try and see if they stick. There are endless opportunities for cognitive enrichment, so do not be discouraged if it takes you a while to find something that is truly enjoyable and challenging for your brain.
Regular Physical Activity
You may be surprised to learn that working out with your whole body can have a positive effect on your brain health. At a basic level, exercise produces endorphins, which boost your mood and can provide continuous motivation.
Exercise can literally change both the function and the structure of the brain, helping you form stronger neural connections and protecting you from further deterioration.
Puzzles
Even if you do not consider yourself a puzzle person, there are so many different types of puzzles to try. Some of the most popular types of puzzles for seniors include:
- Sudoku puzzles
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Word searches
- Logic puzzles
- Crossword puzzles
- Cryptograms
Puzzles such as crosswords or Sudoku are often portable, so you can play on your phone or with a pen and paper. You can often find puzzle books at your local big box store or pharmacy, making them both affordable and accessible.
Socialize With Others
Meeting your friends for coffee or attending an organized event isn't just a recipe for fun. Socializing regularly can actually help maintain and improve your cognitive health.
For example, talking to others whom you've seen recently allows you to recall details and stories they have shared, which strengthens your memory. Engaging in conversation back and forth will strengthen neurons and help your brain to keep up through constant stimulation.
Listen to Music
Turn your speakers up or slip on a pair of headphones to enjoy the numerous cognitive benefits of music. Not only does the right music instantly elevate your mood, but it can also enhance brain function.
Music uses almost every section of the brain at the same time, which is the ultimate workout for the most important muscle in your body. If you have ever wondered why it is easier to memorize song lyrics, it is because they have a mnemonic effect when the music is paired with specific words.
What Is the Number One Brain Exercise for Memory Improvement?
While there isn't a definitive brain exercise that provides the most striking results for memory improvement, you must focus on a core qualifier: Activities that challenge your brain the mostare the best ways to exercise the muscle.
Whether you receive more cognitive enrichment from a Sudoku puzzle or by playing a musical instrument, it is all about having fun and constructively utilizing your brain.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do People Typically Receive a Dementia Diagnosis?
An article from CNN Health reports that diagnoses increase drastically past the age of 75. Some forms of early-onset dementia begin showing symptoms when patients are in their thirties and forties.
Can Dementia Patients Benefit From Assisted Living?
Absolutely. Seniors in the early stages of dementia are wonderful candidates for assisted living. Assisted living is the perfect middle groundbetween fully independent senior living and a more intensive option, such as memory care.
Assisted living gives residents the autonomy to structure their days how they see fit, while receiving extra help with everyday tasks. Maintaining as much independence as possible allows them to exercise their cognitive abilities every single day.
Assisted living communities such as Carroll Place offer residents unique opportunities to build and maintain their cognitive health. Whether you join an exercise class or play a rousing game of bingo, every event and bit of social interaction can have a positive effect on your cognitive health.
Is Dementia Hereditary?
It can be. Although no definitive evidence exists that there is a genetic link to the development of dementia, certain genetic factors can increase your risk of a diagnosis later in life.
Cases of dementia are more likely to be genetic if the disease begins earlier in life, rather than later. However, Alzheimers.org stresses that 99 out of every 100 dementia cases are not attributed to genetics.
What Are the Most Common Types of Dementia?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's is characterized by its key symptom of plaques that build up in the brain and block essential functions and neural networks.
Although the terms "Alzheimer's" and "dementia" are often used interchangeably, it is important to understand that there are many other types of dementia, including:
- Lewy body dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Young-onset dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Mixed dementia
Try These Brain Exercises to Prevent Dementia
Brain exercises to prevent dementia are essential if you are interested in staying sharp with age. With these cognitive wellness tips, you can discover daily brain habits that are both entertaining and helpful.
At Carroll Place Assisted Living, we provide plenty of activities centered around senior mental fitness, from morning exercise classes to game nights. For our memory care patients, we also offer memory support through activity, using meaningful moments to create peace and maintain cognitive abilities.
Are you ready to experience all that Carroll Place has to offer? Reach out to us today to learn more, or visit our stunning campus in Carroll, OH, to see it in person. We can't wait to meet you!