Senior Brain Health: Maintaining a Healthy Brain Late in Life

Seniors and Alzheimers  |  September 24, 2024

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Maintaining Optimal Brain Health

Senior Brain Health | When exploring the brain, with each breakthrough the scientific community makes, new unprecedented questions arise. This allows research to become more focused, it also illuminates that the brain is vastly and endlessly complex.

Senior Brain Health FAST FACT: Although the human brain represents only two percent of the body’s weight, it receives nearly a quarter of its total blood supply.

Despite all the brain’s mysteries, like all our organs, it inevitably ages. The brain’s overall volume slowly shrinks—about 5% per decade after age 40—leading to a loss of some neural connections. This can impact the reduced blood flow and certain cardiovascular conditions.

For seniors, these factors may lead to occasional forgetfulness or memory lapses. Significant memory loss, however, is not normal aging and may indicate Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia.

If your aging loved ones are experiencing memory loss or problems with language skills, perception, or other mental functions, you must address these concerns with a physician.

Senior Brain Health: Four Ways to Keep the Senior Brain Healthy with Optimal Function

Research indicates there are several ways seniors can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline – many of which are beneficial for other aspects of the body. Encourage your aging loved ones to incorporate the following best practices. Be sure that, before beginning any new exercise regimen or diet, your loved ones consult with a physician and dietician.

#1. Stimulation: 

In the last few years, there have been numerous research studies in the area of neurological plasticity, which refers to the brain’s ability to modify in response to new experiences. This “re-wiring” of nerve cells is what is at the center of most cognitive and physical rehabilitation practices. 

However, it essentially serves the same function for those looking to keep their brains healthy, and it can be done simply by learning new skills or keeping the brain regularly “exercised” through puzzles or games.

Many suggest that seniors enroll in a class or other form of organized learning. This can help develop new skills but also cultivate socialization.

#2. Exercise Regularly: 

While it’s not exactly news that exercise is good for the body, it may come as a surprise to some that regular exercise also has quite an impact on mental health. Physical activity improves cardiovascular health, which in turn helps supply the brain with blood. 

It also helps in developing new/increasing existing neural connections (see neurological plasticity above), allowing the brain to be more adaptive. Research suggests that regular exercise can also significantly reduce mental stress. 

Some seniors may join a class with close friends for exercise, but it can be done at home. The key is to ensure that the heart rate is elevated through moderate activity, for at least 20-30 minutes each day.

#3. Watch Your Diet: 

The food we consume has a direct effect on our mental wellbeing and health. To operate at its optimum level, the brain requires fuel in the form of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. 

Consider switching your diet if it consists primarily of salt, sugar, fat, and refined/processed foods. Studies show that diets consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, sources of B vitamins, and lean meats can significantly reduce anxiety levels and even the risk of depression.

#4. Stay Social: 

Although it’s not entirely understood how socialization bolsters brain health, studies show that a correlation between having strong social connections and longer life expectancy does exist. Interaction with friends, family members, or next-door neighbours reduces cognitive decline and improves overall mental well-being. 

This is especially evident in those who volunteer their time to help others. Try reaching out through organizations, community centers, or schools to see how you can help make a positive impact on others – and the health of your brain.

Senior Brain Health: Best Practices for Optimal Brain Function

What unifies all of these best practices for maintaining brain health? The key, as countless scientific studies would suggest, is engagement. In this case, it means getting out and meeting new people versus staying inside and watching TV, choosing to find healthy alternatives to cheap fast food, and finding ways to help not only yourself but those in your community as well.

Comfort Keepers® Can Help

If your loved ones are working to improve their mental well-being and want to incorporate the aforementioned best practices into their lifestyle, we can help. 

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need a Home Care solution for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® supports seniors in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas, enabling them to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes.

We achieve this by delivering top-quality, compassionate care and safety technology solutions, fostering independence, and enhancing overall well-being.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. 

Senior Homecare Near Me

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers® commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

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References:

• Harvard Health Publications. “12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young.” Web. 2006.
• Everyday Health. “How to Stay Sharp As You Age” by Krisha McCoy. Web. 2017.
• Brain Facts. “What We Know – and Don’t Know – About Aging.” Web. 2012.
• National Institute on Aging. “The Aging Brain.” Web. 2017.

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