Activities for Seniors to Keep the Brain Challenged

As we grow older, an active lifestyle becomes a distant dream. Illness, health problems, or injuries take over and can be extremely discouraging. However, no matter what the condition, it is important to get moving. Regular physical and mental exercise helps boost the ability of our mind and can even help reverse some of the signs of aging. Keeping the body and mind active can be extremely beneficial during old age.

Brain fitness is essentially a brain’s ability of strengthening connections between neurons. Research shows that regular and vigorous mental activity can enhance brain fitness, leading to better attention and memory, and faster information-processing skills that tend to worsen as the brain ages.

Exercising the mind or brain can be achieved in several different ways, including:

    Physical exercise and activity

    Learning new skills

    Mind exercise games

Exercise the Brain --

There are several games that stimulate the brain and help develop and enhance the learning ability, memory, and versatility of an individual. Here are a few activities that help in keeping the brain engaged.

Learning a new skill – this could be a new concept, a hobby, or a language. The more challenging the activity, the better. One can take up piano lessons or painting. It is important to stimulate, exercise and activate the brain to think in different ways.

Creating a Scrapbook – This form of elderly activity assists in rebuilding memory skills and memories that might have gotten rusty with age.

Thinking Games – engaging in games such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles, or chess is great for the mind.

Starting an exercise program – elderly can do gentle Yoga moves or Pilates, while others can benefit from isometric exercises and low-impact aerobics. It is important to see the doctor first before beginning any exercise program.

Socializing –group activity or socializing is a great mental activity! Engaging in social interactions on a weekly basis is extremely important to keep the mind stimulated.

Taking a nap – studies show that lack of sleep restricts new brain cells from growing. Hence, it’s important to make sure the elderly are getting enough sleep during the night.

Laughing – laughing is actually one of the best forms of medicines around. The process helps in releasing dopamine, which is a 'feel good' hormone inside the brain. Laughter also helps stimulate the brain and improves learning.

Having proper Breakfast – Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. High fiber cereals early in the day help increase learning ability and cognition.

Enjoying some Neurobics – one can try challenging the brain by bringing a little bit of variation in the daily routine. Instead of brushing, writing, or dialing a phone from the dominant hand using the 'opposite' hand helps greatly.

Caregivers should encourage elderly to try different things that exercise and challenge their brain continually. Keeping a person physically and mentally stimulated does not just mean keeping him/her moving. It just means offering some mental stimulation or activity on a regular basis.

There are several facilities in California that offer activities for senior citizens. They develop programs that focus on keeping the senior active and healthy. They make seniors play brain teasers and memory games to enhance their memory. They also include mild physical exercise in their regiment. Cupertino boasts of several such retirement communities for the elderly that come with an entertainment lounge, barber and beauty services, libraries, and the like that support active lifestyles. These communities also have better developed fire safety systems and emergency call systems. The staff works throughout the day and night to ensure complete safety.    

Read Original Article Here:

http://www.homefortheretired.com/Blogs/2013/August/activities_for_seniors_to_keep_the_brain_challeng...