Home Care Services Andover MA

Home Care Services Andover MA: Activities You Can Do Together for Good Brain Health

According to a recent report by ABC News, a study by the American Medical Association has determined that staying mentally active can help reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer?s disease. The study followed approximately 725 elderly individuals with no signs of dementia for over four years. Participants who performed frequent intellectually stimulating activities were almost 50 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer?s disease than those who did not do mentally challenging activities.

Such research is an excellent reason for seniors and those who provide these seniors with home care services to participate in enjoyable activities that stimulate the mind on a regular basis. Here are some examples of some such activities:

1. Crossword Puzzles

Work on the local daily newspaper crossword puzzle together. Brainstorming the answers and looking up possible answers online or in the encyclopedia stimulates the brain and is both interesting and fun. For seniors who enjoy working with numbers, the daily Sudoku game can be a good challenge as well.

2. Read

One of the best things about reading is that there are books on almost any imaginable topic, so there is always something new to discover. If the senior is mobile, take weekly trips to the library together and check out new books to read and enjoy at home. Alternatively,a?home care services?provider can pick up new books at the library and bring them home for the senior to read.

3. Socialize

Another great way to keep the brain sharp is simple ? talking and engaging in interesting, lively dialogue. Encourage the senior to read the newspaper and discuss current events. Ask questions about how the senior feels about what is going on, both on a local and national level. Discuss how current events mirror events that the senior has experienced or how much things have changed and why.

4. History Lessons

One way to wake up the mind is to reactivate one?s memory. Sit down with a notebook and ask the senior to tell their life story. Remembering events, people and details about what happened will stimulate their mind and is usually fascinating for the listener as well. This can be a task that is broken down into several sessions over time so that both the senior and their home care services?provider?have something to look forward to doing together.

5. Go High Tech

Some people assume that seniors cannot understand or use the latest technology, but that simply is not true. Companion care can include a few lessons on how to use an iPad or the computer, including how to find apps or sites that are of interest. This may include news websites, social media websites where the senior can stay in touch with family and friends, and even games like ?Words with Friends?, which is an electronic version of Scrabble that seniors can play online against their care companion or other friends or family.

6. Play Games

Speaking of games, sitting down and playing a board or card game is a great way to get the brain buzzing. Play bridge, rummy or even a fun game of poker (using poker chips instead of money). Bring out a game of Trivial Pursuit or checkers, or perhaps consider a challenging game of chess. Playing games is an interesting, fun activity that has extra brainpower benefits for everyone.

While much of television these days seems to focus on silly stuff, there is still some great television out there that can pique the mind and curiosity. For example, rent some the Ken Burns Civil War or baseball documentaries and watch them together. Enjoy a current television series such as ?Downtown Abbey? or even just watch the evening news together and then discuss current events when the news is done.

Processing information and talking about it is a great, simple way to engage the mind.

Stimulating the mind on a regular basis is important to help prevent Alzheimer?s and the onset of dementia but it also helps the?home care services?provider?to remember that seniors want to stay active and involved in the world, even as they age.

To learn more about?home care services?and how our caregivers can help your senior love one stay comfortably at home, contact Right At Home. Fill out our web form or call?(888) 214-8066 today!

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Source: http://www.rightathomealzcare.com/home-care-services-andover-ma/

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