Nobody is able to predict what is going to happen in the future. However, as we get older and our loved ones get older, we want to know what is going to happen. We try to plan everything we can to prevent negative things from happening. With this being said, you might want to help maintain your elderly loved one’s brain health. There are many tips that can help you to do this.
Quality Sleep
One of the things that can help your elderly loved one to maintain their brain health is getting quality sleep. It is recommended that elderly people get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep every night. By doing so, this can help to give the body the time it needs to health, regain energy, regulate weight, improve mood, and so much more. If your elderly loved one is getting 7 hours or less on a regular basis, this could increase their risk of degenerative neurological conditions in the future.
Healthy Diet
Research shows that eating right is healthy for the brain. It can help with blood vessel and heart health. If you and caregivers can encourage your elderly loved one to eat more lean meats, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, unsaturated fats, minerals, and vitamins, this can help to maintain their brain health. In addition, making your elderly loved one’s plate more colorful can encourage them to eat better, as well.
Regular Exercise
Depending on your elderly loved one’s situation, they might benefit greatly from an exercise routine. They should discuss a routine with their doctor before starting it. They need to make sure any exercises they do will be safe. Many elderly people are able to combine cardio with weightlifting for the best benefits.
Continuing to Learn
It is important that your elderly loved one engages in learning activities to maintain their brain health. They can do puzzles, read often, and try new tasks to help provide stimulation for their mind. You can be creative in helping them to do these things. For instance, if they don’t like to read novels, maybe they would enjoy reading magazines. As long as they are reading, it doesn’t matter what they are reading from.
Making Mental Health a Priority
It is important to make sure your elderly loved one’s stress levels are low. If they are continuously depressed, anxious, or stressed out, they should get the help they need. If your loved one doesn’t get these things under control, it could affect their sleep quality and overall health. Both of these things could cause issues with brain health.
These are some of the best tips that can be used to help your elderly loved one maintain their brain health.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/index.htm
https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/triage/BrainHealthBasics_0.pdf
If you or an aging loved one is considering caregivers in Lone Tree, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today at 303-953-9924.
