{"id":14251,"date":"2023-11-10T14:37:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T14:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/?p=14251"},"modified":"2023-12-01T15:29:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T15:29:02","slug":"maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintaining Better Cognitive And Brain Health In Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As your body ages, your brain does too. Staying active and involved with a variety of activities can help keep your mind sharp and reduce risk of depression, <a href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/resources\/would-you-recognize-common-signs-of-dementia\/\">dementia<\/a>, and other conditions. It can also stimulate your brain to continue building new neural pathways. This can promote better overall cognitive health and function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exercising your brain can be easier \u2013 and more fun \u2013 than you think. Here are a few ideas to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_36 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Keep_Physically_Active\" title=\"Keep Physically Active\">Keep Physically Active<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Work_With_Your_Hands\" title=\"Work With Your Hands\">Work With Your Hands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Stimulate_Your_Brain\" title=\"Stimulate Your Brain\">Stimulate Your Brain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Learn_A_New_Hobby\" title=\"Learn A New Hobby\">Learn A New Hobby<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Stay_Socially_Engaged\" title=\"Stay Socially Engaged\">Stay Socially Engaged<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Reduce_Fall_Risks\" title=\"Reduce Fall Risks\">Reduce Fall Risks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/resources\/maintaining-better-cognitive-and-brain-health-in-aging\/#Promoting_Better_Brain_Health\" title=\"Promoting Better Brain Health\">Promoting Better Brain Health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_Physically_Active\"><\/span>Keep Physically Active<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Engaging in regular physical activity to improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and joints, and manage weight can also have a positive impact on your cognitive function. Your brain and body are intricately connected. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week encompassing both cardio and strength training exercises. Find something you enjoy such as walking, jogging, swimming, biking, dancing, Pilates, or a group fitness class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Work_With_Your_Hands\"><\/span>Work With Your Hands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strengthen your mind by practicing activities that involve your hands like woodworking, playing piano, knitting, or other craft making. They require you to coordinate your movements and focus on detailed tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stimulate_Your_Brain\"><\/span>Stimulate Your Brain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep your brain active by doing crosswords, word searches, Sudoku, word games, jigsaw puzzles, card games, chess, checkers, and other board games. You\u2019ll be practicing critical thinking, logic, deductive reasoning, strategy, and more. Instead of simply going through the motions, you\u2019re forced to think about what you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_A_New_Hobby\"><\/span>Learn A New Hobby<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019re never too old to learn something new. Pick up an old hobby that you haven\u2019t done in a while and start practicing again or try something you\u2019ve never done before but that has always interested you. As you figure out how to do it and keep improving your skills, it trains your brain and encourages it to work in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stay_Socially_Engaged\"><\/span>Stay Socially Engaged<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spending time with friends and family is good for your cognitive health and helps ward off depression. Make it a point to schedule regular get togethers, whether it\u2019s visiting someone\u2019s home, going out to lunch, doing an activity, participating in a club, or volunteering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reduce_Fall_Risks\"><\/span>Reduce Fall Risks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One cause of cognitive decline in seniors is brain injuries, which can occur <a href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/resources\/causes-recurrent-falls-elderly\/\">after a fall<\/a>. Engage in activities to improve your balance and coordination, regularly check your home for any tripping hazards, get a good night\u2019s sleep, and pay attention to potential side effects from medication that may affect your balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Promoting_Better_Brain_Health\"><\/span>Promoting Better Brain Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the activities you already enjoy and the healthy habits you have adopted can support cognitive function. Small changes can make a positive difference, so look for opportunities to stimulate your mind and exercise your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An <a href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/caregivers\/\">in-home caregiver<\/a> can be a wonderful source of companionship and help you reduce your risk of falling at home, escort you to different activities or appointments, prepare well-balanced meals, and more. <a href=\"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/\">Contact Always Best Care of Norfolk<\/a> at 757.655.8008 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the benefits senior care services can provide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As your body ages, your brain does too. Staying active and involved with a variety of activities can help keep your mind sharp and reduce risk of depression, dementia, and other conditions. It can also stimulate your brain to continue building new neural pathways. This can promote better overall cognitive health and function. Exercising your&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":14252,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[245],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":{"background_image_blog_posts":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysbestcare.com\/norfolk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}