As we age, it’s natural for our cognitive abilities to decline, which is why maintaining our mind muscles is just as essential as staying physically active. For Brain Awareness Week, March 13-19, we’re wrapping our heads around the most complex part of the body by highlighting senior brain health, senior memory care, and ways to flex our minds.
Brain activities challenge the mind, boost concentration and memory, sharpen cognitive skills, and make daily tasks easier. Maintaining mental sharpness and brain health also helps reduce the risk of memory loss and developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Several factors can promote a decline in our ability to remember things as we age. One of the main reasons is a natural decrease in the number of brain cells and their connections, which can reduce the speed and efficiency with which our brains process information.
Another factor is the decline in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters involved in memory and learning, like estrogen and acetylcholine, which can affect our ability to form new memories or recall old ones. Additionally, age-related changes in the brain’s structure, such as a reduction in the size of the hippocampus–the part of the brain responsible for forming and retrieving memories–can also impact memory.
Having a medical condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or depression can also negatively impact brain health and memory as we age. And certain medications may have side effects that affect memory and cognitive function. While age-related memory decline is inevitable, the good news is there are easy ways for seniors to maintain and improve overall well-being, which also supports brain health.
Many active seniors already incorporate the healthy habits and behaviors above into their lifestyle, but there also are creative and enjoyable ways to improve brain power. Not only can they help boost our brain’s processing speed and memory, but they also can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Here are 10 fun ideas to support senior brain health.
At The Glenview at Pelican Bay in Naples, residents have daily opportunities to boost their brain health and improve their memory, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. All of our senior living community’s recreational programs and social activities are designed to promote wellness, healthy aging, and lifelong learning.
Explore independent living at The Glenview to learn more about our resort-style living and how each day offers experiences to stay active and involved.
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