The Best Preventative Medicine: Exercise

While physical fitness is crucial for seniors health, nurturing ones mind is equally as important. Brain exercises enhance cognitive abilities, memory, and focus, similar to how diverse workouts target specific muscle groups. At Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, we understand the unique needs of our clients in the Northeast. Thats why weve gathered eight enjoyable memory games designed to improve mental skills and keep the mind agile. Read on to discover these delightful, brain-boosting activities and lets play!Jigsaw PuzzlesSolving jigsaw puzzles can enhance visual-spatial skills and improve problem-solving abilities. Connecting pieces of different shapes and colors tests patience and sharpens an individuals eye for detail.Simon SaysPlaying Simon Says, a classic childhood game, encourages active listening and short-term memory. Its a fun way to exercise ones ability to follow instructions accurately while encouraging quick thinking and coordination. Partner up with a Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver and give it a try!TriviaAnswering trivia questions is a great way for seniors to test their knowledge of different subjects, while also learning new facts and improving memory. Looking for a topic? Consider exploring the Northeasts history, geography, and local culture. Challenge friends, family, or a caregiver to a few rounds and see who wins the title of ultimate trivia champ!Crossword Puzzles or SudokuCompleting crossword puzzles and Sudoku challenges vocabulary, logic, and problem-solving skills. Tricky brain teasers promote mental agility and are a delightful, accessible way to keep the mind sharp and active.Word RecallWord Recall is a fun game that involves remembering and reciting words. To start the game, pick a word. Next, each player takes turns adding a new word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. For example, if the first word is apple, the next could be elephant, and so on. This simple game is an engaging way to improve language processing and recall.Chess or CheckersChallenge a Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver to a game of chess or checkers! Strategy games demand critical thinking, planning, and foresight. Playing a few rounds hones analytical skills and enhances concentration and decision-making abilities all from the comfort of home.Name That TuneHow well do you or your senior loved one know your favorite songs? Our clients can test their music knowledge with this enjoyable recall game. To get started, have a Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver play a few seconds of a song and try to guess the title and who sings it. Studies show that music can stimulate the part of the brain responsible for memory and emotion. Not to mention, hearing familiar tunes can also bring back positive feelings of nostalgia.Memory TrayImprove short-term memory using items found around the house. Participants will need a partner for this one a Seniors Helping Seniors caregiver makes the perfect teammate! Start by asking them to place some items on a tray or tabletop. Study the pieces for a minute or two and then have them remove the objects. Afterward, try to recall as many items as possible. This game is an interactive way to challenge attention, concentration, and visual-spatial abilities. These memory games are specifically tailored to engage seniors, providing enjoyable moments of connection while challenging their minds. Activities like playing word games or testing analytical skills can boost brain function, improve cognitive skills, and enhance seniors overall mental acuity. When paired with Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services, mental agility training enables seniors to live their golden years to the fullest potential, while staying connected to their community and their roots.

Are you exploring all that retirement life has to offer? If so, you may be considering how best to support the lifestyle that youve been looking forward to. Choosing how to spend your time is likely at the top of the list and is a well-deserved gift.While working or raising children, having time to call your own may have seemed illusive. But retirees often celebrate having the opportunity to take up a left-behind hobby or to rediscover a passion they once had.More than a few, however, may be unsure which activities might result in feelings of zeal. You may be wondering if youd like to rediscover an old passion or begin looking for a new one.If youre defining your retirement path toward aging well, the following tips may help you successfully with your search.What is a passion?When you feel passionate about something, you experience a depth of feeling that goes beyond just enthusiasm. People often describe the sensation as losing a sense of time and place when they are engaged with their passion.A few examples may include: Painting, sculpting, or creative writing Learning a new musical instrument Helping care for abandoned animals Visiting every major league baseball stadium in the U.S. Providing companionship to the elderly who live alone Helping elementary students learn to read Volunteering at a homeless shelter You may also be the object of your passion. Some retirees commit to finding ways to live their lives to the fullest to aging well. They may dedicate a certain number of hours every week for getting in physical shape or exercising to better their mental health.Others may decide to embark on an encore career and are determined to put their efforts where their passions can be expressed. Giving politics a try and running for a local office may be the focus for some. Becoming a kindergarten teacher might be anothers dream in order to fulfill a long-held passion to work with little ones.Aging and rediscovering your passionsThe journey of life can take us down many paths and along the way we may find we had to leave behind personal interests so we could concentrate on the more pressing tasks at hand. Growing older often returns the opportunity to finally have time to spend as you like.If youre interested in rediscovering your passions or creating new ones, consider these suggestions: Browse through a college course catalog This can be a wonderful place to jumpstart your search if youre feeling a little lost. You dont need to sign up for a class, although that can also be a great idea. But look for any subjects that pique your interest and let your mind explore from there. Talk to your friends and family If youre having trouble zeroing in on what your interests are, ask those who know you best what they think. They will likely point out your frequent topics of conversations or areas that theyve seen you become excited about. What do you do or think about the most? Sometimes we dont even realize how we like to spend our time. Look back on activities you choose, what television shows you watch or books you read. See if there is a pattern you can capture. This could be your starting point to define a passion. Dont be afraid to experiment Keep an open mind and dont reject any initial ideas because you assume theyre not passion-worthy. Be willing to try different options and you might discover something about yourself that had remained unnoticed. Have the right attitude It can help to view this process as an adventure instead of feeling pressured to pick the right passion. There are no wrong answers. Keeping a positive attitude can help open yourself up to new possibilities. Dont give up. Keep searching.Source: Forbes contributor Rob PascaleHow an independent living community can helpRetirement living can offer some of the best opportunities to age well. Where you live can make all the difference as it provides a supportive environment for you to discover and live your passions.There are also features in an independent living community that can play an active role in your passions. Consider a few of the advantages youll find that contribute to creating an enriched life, such as: Remaining meaningfully engaged Making friends and sharing your life experiences Participating in educational, informative and fun activities Enjoying an active social life with others Belonging to a larger community Youll find all of these benefits and more at an independent living community. Along with the easy and maintenance-free lifestyle, youll have even more time to spend on what brings you the most joy.

Chronic pain is a significant challenge for many seniors, affecting up to 75% of those over 65. This persistent discomfort can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which in turn may contribute to depression, mood swings, and decreased strength and mobility. As a result, daily activities and cherished hobbies can become difficult to enjoy.  However, research shows that exercise can be an effective self-management strategy for chronic pain. Studies indicate that seniors who engage in at least two hours of weekly exercise may experience up to 25% less joint and muscle pain compared to their inactive peers. This is particularly relevant for those with conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that older adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week, along with some strength training. This could involve several half-hour walks or a few morning jogs. Resistance training is also beneficial for improving strength, flexibility, and balance, which can help reduce the risk of falls and fractures.For seniors dealing with chronic lower back pain, joint osteoarthritis, or diabetes-related pain, these goals might seem daunting. However, any movement that transitions from sedentary to active can help manage pain. Staying still often worsens chronic pain symptoms, while increased physical activity can significantly reduce ongoing discomfort and help the body adapt to common pain triggers.Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for seniors, including:Maintaining functional joint movementIncreasing mobility and flexibilityImproving cardiovascular health and staminaPreventing the breakdown of bone and cartilage tissueIt's important to remember that physical activity doesn't have to mean intense workouts. For seniors, any form of body movement is beneficial. Here are some tips for staying active:Make exercise social: Invite a friend for a walk, join a community dance class, or incorporate movement into family visits.Keep it fun: Find enjoyable activities that incorporate strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility.Set short-term goals and track progress: This can boost motivation and consistency.Many senior living communities, like those operated by Priority Life Care, offer daily exercise classes and social events to keep residents active. These classes can be modified to accommodate various fitness levels, making them accessible to all. They also provide opportunities to find workout buddies for added motivation.By embracing regular physical activity, seniors can gain confidence in managing their pain and improve their overall well-being. The key is to remain as active as current abilities allow, gradually building strength and endurance over time. With persistence and the right approach, chronic pain doesn't have to be a barrier to an active, fulfilling lifestyle in the golden years.FITNESS AND SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIESPriority Life Care Senior Living Communities offer daily exercise classes as well as social events that can keep you moving. Classes are easily modified to accommodate any level of fitness. Its a great way to keep active and find a fitness buddy to keep you motivated. If you are looking to do a specific type of exercise that is not offered, let the Life Enrichment Director know! We often find if one person is asking for something specific, there are other like-minded individuals who will also participate. Visit a Priority Life Care community today to see what is available for you.