Seniors can prevent dementia by making healthy lifestyle choices that have a positive impact on the brain. Switching to balanced diets, engaging in regular exercise, and getting adequate sleep are a few lifestyle changes that could prevent cognitive decline among seniors.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care in Calgary. Our professional caregivers are available around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Here are some of the ways your elderly loved one can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Eat Brain-Boosting Foods
Some foods contain the nutrients necessary to stave off dementia. For example, olive oil is free from trans fats and bad cholesterol, acts a natural antibiotic and antioxidant, and helps the brain function normally. Your loved one should avoid eating saturated fats such as red meats, cheese, and butter. These foods speed up cognitive decline.
Here are a few foods that protect seniors from dementia:
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Nuts
- Berries
- Fish
- Poultry
- Lean meats
- Whole grains
Socialize More Often
Seniors who feel isolated and depressed have a higher risk of developing dementia. Your senior loved one might not socialize that often, since many of his or her friends and loved ones may have passed away. He or she could also feel too embarrassed to be around other people due to problems with vision, limited mobility, impaired hearing, and other age-related issues. However, you should encourage your loved one to stay socially active by finding activities he or she can do easily. This can boost your loved one’s mood, prevent depression, and reduce his or her risk of dementia.
Families who need additional assistance caring for an elderly loved one should consider hiring a professional caregiver. Calgary, AB, seniors and their families trust in Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality in-home care on an as-needed basis. Our caregivers take pride in helping seniors remain healthy while promoting their quality of life.
Get Adequate Sleep
Lack of sleep can make your loved one’s brain vulnerable to many health issues, including dementia. During sleep, the brain clears out the toxins from the body. However, if your loved one does not get adequate sleep, the toxins could build up and cause damage to the brain. To get adequate sleep, your loved one should avoid eating dinner or too many snacks close to bedtime and shouldn’t do a lot of activities at night.
Challenge the Mind
Your loved one’s mind should stay busy, especially during the golden years. Encourage him or her to volunteer with local organizations or enroll in a college course. Your loved one can also sign up for music lessons, art classes, or other fun activities that allow him or her to learn something new and preserve his or her memory. Challenging the brain regularly can slow cognitive decline. Board games, word puzzles, cards, and interactive games are other activities your loved one can engage in to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Many families have no experience in specialized home care for seniors, which can make life a bit more challenging when an elderly loved one is diagnosed with dementia. The Calgary, AB, dementia care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. We designed a program called the Cognitive Therapeutics Method, which uses mentally engaging activities to slow the progression of dementia, and all of our live-in and respite caregivers are expertly trained in dementia care. To learn about our holistic approach to dementia care, get in touch with one of our qualified Care Managers at 403-301-3777.