07 Mar 5 Tips for Senior Brain Health
As you age, your body goes through various changes, and your brains is no exception. Brain health is a critical aspect of overall health, particularly for seniors. The brain is responsible for controlling all your bodily functions, including movement, emotions, and cognition. It’s essential to take care of your brain to maintain optimal cognitive function and prevent cognitive decline. And the team at Park Springs can help!
Let’s explore some tips on maintaining good brain health and how the resources at Park Springs can help you put them into practice.
- Stay Physically Active
Staying physically active is an excellent way to keep the brain healthy. Research shows that exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, promoting the growth of new brain cells and improving cognitive function. Exercise also helps reduce stress, which is essential for maintaining brain health.
At Park Springs, you’ll find daily opportunities to engage in light to moderate-intensity exercises. Members enjoy walking or cycling around the picturesque paths of our 61-acre campus or the nature trails at Stone Mountain; golfing with friends at Stone Mountain’s two championship courses; swimming or water aerobics in our heated pool; and gentle movement in stretching and yoga classes (including chair yoga). There are even some new things you may have never tried like water volleyball and pétanque. Best of all, developing a routine and sticking with it is convenient and easy. Grab an exercise buddy and just step right outside your door to get moving every day.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is vital for maintaining brain health. Studies show that seniors should consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It’s also crucial to limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The chefs at Park Springs believe a healthy, delicious diet is essential to our Members physical and emotional well-being. With dining venues featuring brain-healthy Mediterranean-style menu choices, you’ll find it’s so much easier to eat right and develop better eating habits.
- Stay Mentally Active
It’s been proven that staying mentally active is essential to maintaining brain health. Activities like reading, solving puzzles, playing board games, and learning a new skill or language help stimulate the brain, improve memory, and enhance cognitive function. Seniors can also take classes or attend workshops to learn new skills and keep their minds active.
With over 50+ clubs as well as discussion groups, guest speakers, crafts, special events, and day trips, the opportunities for staying mentally active at Park Springs are endless. Whether you play bridge, learn majhong, discuss history, try your hand at quilting, or attend a continuing education class at near-by Emory University…our community is a vibrant environment for engaging, thinking, learning, and sharing ideas.
- Get Adequate Sleep
Much research has been done on the importance of adequate sleep for brain health. Guidelines say seniors should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep helps the brain consolidate memories, flush out toxins, and repair damaged cells. It’s also crucial to establish a regular sleep routine, avoid napping during the day, and limit caffeine and alcohol intake, which can disrupt sleep.
At Park Springs, our geriatricians in our onsite Wellness Clinic are specifically trained to help address sleep issues as they are common among seniors. With a medical team that takes the time to listen to your concerns and understand your medications and conditions, you can develop a sleep strategy that’s right for you.
- Manage Chronic Conditions
Research has revealed that managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease is essential for maintaining brain health. These conditions can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Seniors should work with their healthcare provider to manage these conditions effectively, including taking medication as prescribed, monitoring blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and making lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
At Park Springs, it’s much easier to monitor your health and stay on top of chronic conditions with our team of caring, highly-qualified geriatricians and a nurse practitioner right onsite in our Wellness Center. Routine screenings, educational seminars, and coordinated care from a medical team that specializes in senior issues will help you thrive mentally and physically.
Come see how Park Springs can help you develop a fun, active lifestyle that helps prevent cognitive decline and improve overall brain function.