It’s early morning, your aging mom calls for help from the other room. You walk in and your mom says, “Who are you?”
It’s a terrifying prospect, yet more than 6 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s. Of those over 65, a little over 11% of people have Alzheimer’s.
The big question? Is there anything you can do to avoid this devastating disease?
The answer is – sort of. There are many activities for seniors that help keep the body and mind sharp and reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s. In this article, we’ll tell you how!
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Dementia is a constellation of symptoms that have a negative impact on memory. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease in which the brain cells die and brain cell connections break down.
You can see Alzheimer’s on a brain scan in the form of amyloid plaque buildup in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the memory part of your brain, thus Alzheimer’s destroys memory.
There is no definitive cure for dementia and Alzheimer’s but there are ways of increasing your mental acuity and avoiding some of the worst symptoms of the disease in old age.
Brain Exercises and Activities for Seniors
It’s important for people of all ages, but especially elderly people, to stay fit and active, and these are some of the best activities for seniors. When it comes to keeping your mind sharp, try these brain exercises.
Memory Card Games
You may remember memory card games from your childhood. They were great for you then and they’re good for you as you age. Memory card games are a great mental exercise for keeping the brain sharp.
Look for memory card games or apps or use a regular deck of cards.
Sudoku
Sudoku is a popular mental acuity game for seniors. Sudoku challenges the mind and develops deductive reasoning and logic skills. It helps you identify patterns, recognize opportunities, and fill in gaps.
The game comes in the form of a board game, downloadable apps, books, and more.
Play an Instrument
Are you a senior citizen who always wanted to play an instrument but never got around to it? It’s never too late, and playing an instrument is great for your brain! It challenges your memory and your coordination while improving both.
The Game of Chess
Chess is a game of mental skill and it challenges the brain to find patterns and solutions. When it comes to mental exercises, chess is a great one. It forces you to use both sides of your brain as you work out solutions visually and analytically.
Trivia Night
Trivia night is great for your brain and memory and for more than one reason. Going out to trivia night is a social event and that’s great for your brain. It also challenges you to use your memory.
Even if you can’t go out to a trivia night, you can host one at home with a trivia board game.
Brain-Enhancing Activities for Seniors
Although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, these brain-enhancing activities for seniors can reduce your chances of getting this dreaded disease. Challenge your mind daily with some of these great brain exercises.
Find interesting and informative articles like this in the health section of the blog!
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