Fighting Dementia Through Nutrition

Why Brain Health Is EssentialBrain health impacts every aspect of our lives. A healthy brain ensures: Sharp Cognitive Function: Supporting learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Resilient Memory: Helping us retain and recall important information. Emotional Stability: Allowing us to navigate challenges and maintain mental well-being. Physical Coordination: Facilitating essential tasks like walking, speaking, and balance. Neglecting brain health can lead to difficulties in daily life, including forgetfulness, confusion, or susceptibility to neurological disorders such as Alzheimers or dementia. Lifestyle Habits to Promote Brain Health Physical Activity Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients. Regular activities like walking, cycling, or yoga can improve memory and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Brain-Boosting Nutrition A balanced diet rich in certain nutrients is critical for brain health: Fatty Fish: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential for brain cell health. Colorful Fruits and Vegetables: Packed with antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. Whole Grains: Provide steady energy for optimal brain performance. Nuts and Seeds: Offer healthy fats and vitamin E to support cognitive function. Cognitive Stimulation Keep your brain active with activities that challenge its capacity, such as: Learning a new language or skill. Solving puzzles, crosswords, or playing chess. Engaging in creative hobbies like painting or music. Quality Sleep Sleep is vital for memory consolidation and mental clarity. Aim for 79 hours of sleep each night, and maintain a regular sleep schedule to support overall brain health. Stress Management Chronic stress negatively affects the brain, shrinking areas responsible for memory and decision-making. Stress-reducing practices like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help maintain mental balance. Social Connections Strong social ties contribute to emotional well-being and cognitive longevity. Spend time with family, join clubs or groups, and maintain regular interactions with friends to stay mentally and socially engaged. Avoid Harmful Substances Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco products can protect the brain from long-term damage and cognitive decline. Preventing Cognitive DeclineWhile aging is inevitable, cognitive decline is not. Steps to reduce its risk include: Monitoring Health: Manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, as they can impact brain function. Mental Health Care: Address issues like anxiety or depression, which may impair cognition if left untreated. Regular Check-Ups: Work with healthcare providers to screen for early signs of neurological disorders. The Lifelong Benefits of LearningContinuing to learn throughout life keeps the brain adaptable and engaged. Whether its pursuing a hobby, attending workshops, or taking online courses, lifelong learning fosters new neural connections and helps preserve cognitive health.  

This July, the Seniors Helping Seniors family is happy to be feeling blue thats because its National Blueberry Month. These little blue gems are packed with flavor, nutrients, and antioxidants, making them a delicious super fruit with incredible health benefits for seniors. Reaching their peak ripeness in the summer heat, now is the perfect time to incorporate them into your diet. Whether you love them in baked goods, sprinkled over a summer salad, or as a solo snack, weve gathered our favorite blueberry recipes just for you.But before we get cooking, lets explore why blueberries are our all-time favorite (hint: theyre amazing for senior health)!Blueberry Health Benefits for SeniorsBlueberries are low in calories but high in essential nutrients and fiber, making them a satisfying snack that helps control appetite. These tiny fruits are a fantastic choice for weight management, especially for seniors. Unlike sugary snacks like cookies or chips, a handful of blueberries wont spike your blood sugar and will keep you feeling full longer. Thats why the Seniors Helping Seniors team suggests grabbing a bowl of fresh blueberries instead of reaching for a bag of potato chips. Youll enjoy a delicious treat that supports your weight management goals and nourishes your body with vitamins and antioxidants.Weight management isnt the only benefit blueberries offer. Here are a few other incredible health perks bundled up in these tasty blue delights. Antioxidants: Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Cognitive Health: The flavonoids in blueberries have been linked to improved brain function and may help slow age-related cognitive decline. Heart Health: Blueberries can help reduce blood pressure and lower LDL cholesterol levels, which are critical for maintaining heart health. Digestive Health: High in dietary fiber, blueberries aid in digestion and help maintain regular bowel movements, preventing constipation. Easy, Healthy Blueberry Recipes That Taste Like SummerHeres our vibrant summer blueberry recipe roundup. Whether youre craving a tasty snack or a nutritious breakfast, these recipes are not only delicious but also simple to make. Plus, a Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver can assist you every step of the way, ensuring meal preparation is stress-free and enjoyable.By enlisting their help, youll find it easier to maintain a healthy diet and have more fun in the kitchen. Now lets get to the recipes!Blueberry Chia PuddingIngredients: Chia seeds, almond milk, blueberries, vanilla extract, honeyInstructions: Mix chia seeds with almond milk, vanilla extract, and honey. Let it sit overnight in the fridge. Top with fresh blueberries for a nutritious and delicious breakfast or dessert.Blueberry Almond Energy BitesIngredients: Rolled oats, almond butter, honey, dried blueberries, chia seedsInstructions: Mix rolled oats, almond butter, honey, dried blueberries, and chia seeds. Roll into bite-sized balls. These no-bake energy bites are perfect for a quick, healthy snack.Summer Blueberry QuinoaIngredients: Cooked quinoa, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, mint, lemon vinaigretteInstructions: Mix cooked quinoa with blueberries, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and fresh mint. Toss with lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing, protein-rich meal.Blueberry and Chicken SaladIngredients: Grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, blueberries, goat cheese, almonds, raspberry vinaigretteInstructions: Combine mixed greens with sliced grilled chicken, blueberries, crumbled goat cheese, and sliced almonds. Drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette for a light and healthy main course.Weve loved sharing our favorite blueberry recipes and their amazing health benefits with you this National Blueberry Month! From tasty snacks to nutritious meals, blueberries are a fantastic way to boost your diet. For a fun and safe cooking experience, enlist the help of Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services. Our caregivers are ready to support you in the kitchen, turning meal prep into a joyful activity.

As we grow older, the right nutrition plays a critical role in supporting our physical and cognitive health. But eating a healthy diet can also become more of a challenge.If youve noticed your parents or another family member is losing weight, or losing interest in enjoying their favorite foods, youll want to consider why they may no longer be eating as healthily.  There are several factors that can affect an older adults dining habits. It may be harder for them to shop and prepare meals. Or depending on their health and energy, it may be easier for them to skip a meal or replace it with snacks or processed foods. If you think there may be an issue, consider taking these steps: Be observant of their eating habits. Are there specific foods they avoid? Do they still seem interested in mealtime or certain foods? Talk to your parents about the changes youre noticing. Ask them if they are having any problems that are interfering with their diet. Losing the sense of taste and smellOne factor that can have a negative effect on appetite is the loss of taste and smell. It can begin after the age of 60 as part of the natural aging process. But there are also several issues that can contribute, according to the Mayo Clinic, such as: Nasal and sinus problems, including allergies Certain medications Dental problems Smoking Head or facial injury Alzheimers disease Parkinsons disease   The impact of losing your sense of taste and smellYour sense of taste and smell work closely together. If you struggle to smell the flavors in a food, you likely wont experience the taste. And even though your taste bud cells are replaced every couple of weeks, after the age of 50 those cells begin to lose their ability to regenerate.People who have lost at least a partial sense of taste, thirst or smell can experience a significant impact to their appetite and nutrition. It can also lead to adding unhealthy amounts of salt or sugar in an attempt to create taste. Ultimately, quality of life can be affected.Losing your feeling of thirstYour feeling of thirst signals that its time to get something to drink. But as you get older, you can lose this prompt or at least its strength. If you arent paying attention, you may become dehydrated which can lead to serious side effects such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, kidney failure or a drop in blood pressure.You can address your feeling of thirst by being diligent. Check with your doctor if you are required to monitor your fluid intake but otherwise strive to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid daily.You may also want to familiarize yourself with the signs of dehydration and call your doctor if you experience any of these: Little or no urination Dark colored urine Irritability, dizziness or confusion Low blood pressure Rapid breathing and heart rate Weak pulse Cold hands and feet Dry mouth Difficulty walking   Steps to take when losing sense of taste, smell, and thirstIf your parent or loved one is losing a sense of taste and thirst, there are ways you can help. Encourage them to speak to their doctor You cant reverse the natural loss of taste and smell but if there is another cause, you might be able to treat the condition such as adjusting medications, fixing any dental problems or treating nasal and sinus conditions. Experiment with spices and flavors Look for ways to make meals taste more exciting. Talk to a dietician for ideas on how to add special seasonings to enhance flavors or which foods might naturally be easier to taste. Make dining as enjoyable as possible Even if theyre unable to regain the level of taste they once had, try to make the experience itself as pleasant as you can. Dining with others or creating a pleasant environment can help. Set a beautiful table complete with flowers and add their favorite music. Provide helpful reminders to drink Remind your parents not to rely on their sense of thirst before drinking and to pay attention to how much they have during the day. Use a water bottle with measurements in the beginning or count the number of glasses theyve had and convert to ounces.