Elderly Home Care Advice: Brain-Stimulating Activities for Seniors

Apr 12, 2018 by David Hellyer

Aging may weaken the brain. However, there are a variety of ways seniors can stimulate their brain and keep it sharp throughout their golden years. As an elderly home care agency, we encourage the following brain-stimulating activities for older adults in State College, PA:

Reading

Reading is a great way for seniors to exercise their brain and prevent cognitive decline. An elderly home care aide can read to an older adult if they are not capable of reading themselves. There are a variety of books that are free of charge and available to seniors at the local library.

Cooking

In addition to providing senior citizens with fresh, healthy food, cooking can allow them to improve their cognitive health and maintain their independence. Aides who provide elderly home care encourage seniors to try new recipes and ingredients on a regular basis.

Gardening

One of the best mentally stimulating outdoor activities is gardening. It gives seniors the opportunity to breathe in fresh air and plant beautiful flowers or nutrient-rich produce. Older adults should take breaks every 20 minutes or so as gardening can be physically strenuous.

Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are excellent for the brain because they stimulate problem-solving skills. They also help with work association and assist in recalling memory. Scrabble and other word-based games offer similar benefits.

Learning a New Language

While it’s difficult to learn a new language, it’s also incredibly rewarding and stimulating. Seniors can choose a language they’ve always wanted to learn and take classes at a local library, community center, or online.

Smartphone Apps

There are a wide range of smartphones apps that can improve a senior’s brain health while keeping them entertained and informed. Some of these apps include Words with Friends, the Weather Channel, and Facebook.

Reading, cooking, gardening, crossword puzzles, learning a new language, and smartphone apps are all examples of effective brain-stimulating activities for older adults.

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