Everyone wants to stay both physically and mentally healthy as long as they live. But, that is not always what happens. Everyone knows older people who have health and mobility issues that make living independently impossible. Then they are miserable in the nursing home and just give up. Some older people suffer from memory issues and dementia that makes living independently impossible. Others lose long term partners and can’t get past the grief or living alone in the family home. There are good solutions and better solutions to these problems.
Finding a Safe, Secure Place to Live in Senior Years
When a person is younger or middle-aged, they can continue or start to develop habits that allow them to stay physically and mentally healthier for years longer. Healthy eating habits, a good exercise program, taking care of physical issues promptly, and keeping the mind active and healthy are all important. As people age, finding the best place to live also becomes a priority. It is important to realize when living in a family home is no longer the best solution.
Moving to a senior living community can be a good solution. Some of these communities have a graduated care option where a person or couple moves into a detached home or an apartment in the community and signs up for the level of care they need. As time goes on, they can increase the level of care and move to a higher level of care living units. These communities often have a nursing home type facility within the community for those who need 24-hour nursing care and supervision.
But, what if a person has lived in one home for years and waits to leave it until their physical and mental condition warrants moving directly to a nursing facility? They and their loved ones can contact brandycare.com to find facilities in Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It is important to find a facility that will encourage the seniors to stay active and alert with social activities, nursing care, field trips and adventures, all-day dining, memory care, and social occasions.
Start Early to Keep the Brain Active and Young
It is important for people to keep their brains active and healthy even before they are senior citizens. When we are in the workforce and caring for families, there is a lot of stimulation but when the children leave home and retirement comes, it is easy to become less active and give in to mental decline. But, there are 10 proven ways to keep our bodies and brains younger and healthier. These ideas work at any age so start now for happier senior years.
1. Take part in mentally stimulating activities such as word puzzles, hobbies, games that are mentally stimulating, take adult classes, and other brain-stimulating activities. They encourage new connections between brain cells and may even help the brain generate new cells. People can actually find brain-training opportunities online or on smartphones. Activities can be designed for nursing home residents that help memory and decision making abilities as well as cognitive levels of skills.
2. Did you know that exercise stimulates the brain and encourages the development of new tiny blood vessels to bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain? Exercise even encourages the formation of connections between brain cells. Exercise also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces mental stress.
3. Eating a healthy diet helps reduce the risk of developing dementia and cognitive impairment later in life. The diet should contain plenty of fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and plant-sourced protein. Use unsaturated oils and other healthy cooking techniques. Avoid overly processed or junk food and keep caloric intake at recommended levels. Part of a healthy diet includes not smoking and keeping alcohol consumption to two drinks or less per day.
4. Take care of yourself with regular physical exams at the doctor’s office and get that doctor’s help with improving blood pressure, lowering bad cholesterol, and improving blood sugar levels. Get treatment for any illnesses or chronic health conditions. Take the prescribed medications following directions carefully. A healthy body helps the mind stay healthier.
5. Take care of your mental health by getting treatment for anxiety, depression, sleep-deprivation, and chronic exhaustion. Also, get treatment for any other mental health issues. People with better mental health might be less likely to suffer a cognitive decline as they age.
6. Avoid isolation and loneliness. Taking part in community activities and building a strong social network reduces a person’s risk of dementia. Having friends and maintaining good relationships with family members help people keep their minds open and healthier. Having good friendships and relationships is good for memory and mental health in general.
7. Positive thinking is healthy for one’s mind. If a person expects to accomplish more or experience more positive treatment, they will be able to do and get more positive things.
8. Get enough sleep and make that quality sleep. It is worth getting help to improve sleep quality and the amount of sleep a person gets. Getting enough sleep is good for the brain and cognitive performance. Adults should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
9. Psychologists and other health professionals have recommended some form of meditation for many of their patients. There are many meditation techniques to try. The purpose of meditation is to focus on breathing and achieve calmness to improve concentration and memory. Meditation helps people calm their minds and relieve stress and anxiety.
10. Continued education and learning are important to maintaining a healthy brain. Adult classes, books, and online tutorials can all keep a person’s mind active and help general intelligence, mental processing speed, and memory.
Residents of Assisted Living and Nursing Facilities Need These Practices Continued
Practicing the steps to a healthier brain does not and should not stop when a person moves to an assisted living or nursing facility. The responsibility for these practices and habits might need to shift to the professionals at the facility. Good nursing facilities take extra steps to keep their residents alert and engaged with individual and group activities, good diets, exercise programs, and excellent healthcare.
