World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21 this year, the day before the official beginning of fall. For seniors and the elderly, maintaining a healthy brain is important in the aging process.

Can you avoid memory loss? Can you avoid or prevent the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s?

Brain training can certainly help. Studies have shown that training your brain can help slow memory loss and other mental issues.

One study of adults 65 and older showed that brain training over about a month-and-a-half led to improvement for memory, reasoning, and speed of processing information for up to five years. Even common tasks such as managing money and housework improved in the thousands of adults who participated in the sessions.

What kinds of activities or training are we talking about? Here are some tips for you to try and continue practicing in your senior living community.

Eat well and exercise. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and limit your intake of sodium, sweets, sugary beverages and red meat. Be sure to exercise regularly. Exercise directly benefits brain cells by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain.

Connect with people and give your brain workouts. Our brains thrive on connections with people and relationships. As for giving your brain a workout, keeping your brain engaged and challenged seems to have long-term benefits. Here’s a list of brain challenges for you:

—Play board games or cards with friends or family members. Try new games. The important thing is to work your brain and make social connections.

—Learn a new language. Start playing an instrument.

—Do crosswords, Wordle, or sudoku. Try puzzles, especially challenging ones.

—Play online memory games or video games. 

—Take adult education classes.

These tips can help improve your brain health and improve your outcomes over the long term.

A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT

Senior living communities like Regency at Augusta Assisted Living & Memory Care are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life. 

At Regency at Augusta Assisted Living & Memory Care, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!

If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a visit or download a brochure today!