Brain Stimulating Activities for your Loved Ones
Challenging our brain is an effective method to preserve its health. Brain stimulation involves learning new things and enjoying activities we don’t do anymore as we age. Doing these things benefits elderly who are prone to different types of dementia.
Eden Grace Caregivers Agency would like to give you tips to improve your loved one’s brain health! Together with your live in caregiver, consider some of these fun things to sharpen your loved one’s memory.
Here is a list of brain stimulating activities your loved one may like:
1. Reading
The elderly may not be patient enough to read a novel but she may like going through the newspaper and looking at today’s news. Magazines are also good reading materials since it has photos and visual aids. As a live in caregiver, get to know the elderly patient well and take note of her interests, then select a magazine which is closely related to what she likes.
Reading is a good brain stimulating activity simply because it expands imagination and improves the ability to make decisions. Along with this, writing letters and diaries can also be an effective way of brain stimulation.
2. Arts and crafts
You may think cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery are just simple past times for grandma but it is actually considered to be mental gymnastics that stimulates the brain through dexterity exercise. Your loved one can choose from different arts and crafts like painting, flower arranging, composing songs, and playing musical instruments.
Playing instruments, for example, can cause synapses to fire in brain areas a hundred times better than just being at rest. Let your loved one play the guitar with your live in caregiver for a sharper mind!
3. Gardening
Yes, gardening results in a healthier brain but it’s more than that. Gardening exposes the elderly under the sun where she can get more Vitamin D instead of spending lots of time under the roof. Digging up to plant carrots or daises is also a calming activity, helping the elderly recall facts and events.
Ah ma may need someone to be with her while she’s cultivating the garden! The live in caregiver is a great company for green fingers.
4. Be sociable
Older adults become introverts as they grow old because of their failing body. Studies show, however, that the more sociable you are in your elderly years, the safer you are from cognitive decline. Communicating with friends is a mental stimulation that lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, and reduces chances of anxiety and depression.
5. Board Games
Being into board games has no age limit. Although it may sound cliché, board games stimulate problem-solving skills and word games like Scrabble and UpWords can boost memory and vocabulary. Patterns and spelling don’t only work well with children, seniors enjoy it too!
Chess needs two players! Encourage your live in caregiver to sit with your loved one for coffee and chess this afternoon.
Remember, the best brain stimulating activity is the one that elderly patient enjoys the most. What does your loved one like to do? We hope our tips help.
Are we in need of someone who can take good care of our loved ones? Consider the reliable caregiving and maid services from Eden Grace Caregivers Agency. The agency has caregivers who undergo proper training and background checking to fit our manpower needs.
Please contact us for a fuss-free consultation with our unique personal screenings of our caregivers. Eden Grace Caregivers Agency looks forward to serving you!
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