6 Ways to Help Your Loved One Stay Sharp

Growing old is a part of life, but it doesn’t mean that we are unable to reduce mental decline. There are many preventative measures you can take with your elderly loved ones so they stay sharp mentally and even have some fun in the process. Here are a few ways you can work with your loved ones to remain mentally strong:

1. Learn New Skills – New skills keep the mind and body stimulated. Learning a few words in a foreign language and applying it throughout the week can do wonders. They don’t need to become a master, just maintain a decent practice to continue to stimulate their mind.
2. Mental Challenges – Working out a Sudoku or crossword puzzle together allows you to work as a team, while motivating them to use logic and reasoning skills. Regular puzzles can be impactful as well because they encourage matching skills and improve memory.
3. Games – The entire family can join for a fun game night. Card games relying on matching help with memory and reasoning skills. Games such as Scrabble and Tetris can help with spatial awareness.
4. Breaking Routine – The brain isn’t challenged when it settles into a routine. Straying away from the usual patterns helps keep the brain sharp. Simply driving an alternate route or doing your morning routine in a different order will confuse the brain to make it more alert.
5. Exercise – Physical exercise is good for the brain as well as the body. It is as easy as dedicating an hour every day to nice brisk walks.
6. Listening to Music- Build a music playlist that taps into memories they thought were gone forever, helping them to feel whole again. The Music & Memory Care program has been proven to improve confidence, reduce anxiety, and promote social behavior.

Give Them The Best

No one wants to see their loved one’s memory fade, but using the above activities can help keep them sharp and encourage better mental health. Sign your loved ones up for the memory care program at Encore at Avalon Park if you notice a decline in mental health. Our nurses are specialized in memory-based assistance, and our memory care facility is a teaching and clinical affiliate of Florida Hospital, which means your loved ones will be taken care of by the best. Contact us for availability and pricing at 407-270-7500, and let your loved one join a community for successful aging.