Memory and other cognitive functions decline with age, which is just a fact of life. According to the Memory and Aging Center at The Regents University, some mental capabilities peak around age 30 and subtly decline as you grow older. That doesn’t mean your memory suddenly stops working at a certain age, and there’s a difference between normal age-related memory impairment and something like dementia. In the former case, you can actually help keep your memory functioning longer by putting it to work appropriately every day.
Here are some fun and easy ways to keep your memory working as well as possible while enjoying life in your Kearney assisted living community.
Take regular walks out of your assisted living apartment to meet and talk to other people. Concentrate on remembering the faces and names that go with them as well as parts of the person’s story.
Cambridge Court offers plenty of ways to engage with other residents, including dining, walking and exploring the grounds, game and entertainment spaces, outings and taking part in group exercise.
Spiritual care is important to the staff at Cambridge Court, and you’ll find an on-site chaplain and worship services. You can also engage in personal Scripture study and Bible verse memorization as a way to activate and work parts of your brain.
Since aging does come with some natural memory and concentration decline, don’t waste what you do have on unnecessary mental activities. When you organize your apartment and keep everything in a certain place, it makes it easier to know where those things are. You don’t have to spend mental energy remembering where you last put a book, a pen or keys.
A healthy diet is good for the whole body, including the brain. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B and D3 are especially helpful for the brain, and foods rich in folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown in some research to help cognitive functions.
Always talk to your nutritionist or doctor before making major changes in your diet.
Like your muscles, your memory and ability to focus work best when you use them regularly. Enjoy recreational activities around your assisted living community that require concentration, such as playing cards, board games or chess with others.
Aerobic exercise boosts blood flow throughout the entire body, which can help with functions in the brain. Take a brisk walk about the community daily or participate in group exercise programs. Again, always talk to your medical provider before engaging in new physical activities, and work with community staff when appropriate to create programs that match your needs.
The good news about putting your memory to work in your assisted living community is that you can make new friends and enjoy a lot of fun experiences at the same time.
