Assisted Living

The Early Signs of Alzheimer’s: Is it time to start looking into Facilities for Alzheimer’s

It is important to note that a person suffering from memory loss can be exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Part of this is the decline in memory, as well as thinking and reasoning skills. Indicating the time to start looking for facilities for Alzheimer’s can be difficult.

 

If you are keen to know the early symptoms of this disease, here are a few warning signs. These often serve as the first clues when evaluating for Alzheimer’s or related conditions.

 

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

 

Short-term memory loss

 

When a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s, the area of the brain that stores memory of recent events can be affected. Occasional memory lapses are normal. But if you notice recent timelines becoming frequently harder for them to recall, it might be their short-term memory.

Difficulty to make decisions, planning, or solving problems

 

The person can have trouble with abstract thinking leading to the following reactions.

 

  • Struggling to develop and follow plans
  • Trouble in multitasking
  • Feeling less motivated
  • Looking less organized

 

Difficulty doing familiar tasks

 

One of the things that often show as an early symptom of Alzheimer’s is the difficulty of doing simple or everyday tasks. Eventually, people suffering from Alzheimer’s forget how to do basic activities of daily living, including taking a bath or getting dressed.

 

Difficulty in sleeping

 

A person with Alzheimer’s can have difficulty sleeping. They may wake up several times during the night or take excessive naps during the day. Changes in sleep patterns are not conclusive but worth noting when seen with other early signs.

 

Changes in personality

 

Mood changes should also be considered if you suspect a loved one is showing signs of Alzheimer’s. They may seem anxious, confused, depressed, or irritable at any time.

 

Getting easily upset in new or different situations is also a sign that a parent or loved one is experiencing symptoms of the disease. They may also lack the drive and motivation.

 

Dealing with patients who have Alzheimer’s

 

It can be devastating and overwhelming to deal with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Preparing for potential changes in the future can ease some of the stress. Learning more about the disease and getting support from others will create a more seamless transition.

 

This includes preparing for memory care facilities for Alzheimer’s. These are specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of memory loss like dementia.

 

Early detection is key

 

If you notice signs in yourself or another person, it will be hard to know exactly what to do. It might even be harder to discuss these changes with others. The best first step is to address significant health concerns with a doctor.

 

You simply can’t ignore warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Detecting them early means early treatment, which is almost always a good step.

 

Senior living facilities for Alzheimer’s offer specialized care for you or your elderly loved ones. If you are interested in seeing what we have to offer at Oxbow Living, click here

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

assisted living home plans

Things to Consider when Choosing an Assisted Living Home Plan

Lifestyle change is inevitable particularly if you are getting older. As you think about enjoying your retirement to the fullest, there are also other factors to consider if you want to settle in a senior living community. An assisted living home plan should come with main considerations as it should fit your independent living needs and any special conditions, and should give you that comfortable, relaxing, and convenient way of living in your new home.

What to look for in assisted living home plans

 

The Kitchen

Assisted living communities do not require residents to cook for themselves as meal plans are available. But, if cooking is your passion and you may want to prepare your meals occasionally, small kitchen space for you might be enough.

Other senior living home communities also have a communal kitchen where residents can enjoy.

The Storage

When doing tours to assisted living communities nearby or in other states where you want to eventually retire, inspect the storage layout and how much storage is available.

Look at the room’s capacity if it will allow you to add a storage space once you move in. Although you will have to downsize and bring with you few important items, having ample storage is still important to keep everything in place.

The Entertainment Space

Look for a senior living community that has ample space to entertain family and guests. The senior apartment’s floor plan must also give you enough space so you can move freely and comfortably. This part of your retirement home must not interfere with your mobility.

Your Furniture

You might have accumulated furniture that you want to bring with you upon relocation. Determine if the furniture you are using and will be using will fit when you move into your new home.

Most senior homes are smaller than regular homes, so too much furniture or putting big sized furniture makes space feel a lot smaller. Always look for senior homes with assisted living home plans that work for you.

The Lay-out of the Entire Community

Consider a senior home community that offers a beautiful and spacious communal area for socializing. Whether you choose to stay in a single apartment or a private studio, you still need to go out for some fresh air or meet new friends in the community.

If possible, it would be ideal to pick a community for retirement with outdoor space for some leisurely walk or enjoy the company of a new found friend in the community.

There are some senior homes and apartments with a private patio where residents can enjoy quiet moments without stepping out from the comfort of their private spaces.

Finding the right retirement or senior home for you can be daunting. Although these above-mentioned assisted living home plans and features seem too basic, but these all make the difference when you will move into your new place soon.  This new important phase in your life is something that you must prepare for.

Curious what assisted living home plans we have to offer? Click here to be redirected to our floor plans!


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living Ashland

Steps Nursing Homes Can Take to improve Residency life After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic created enormous health and economic chaos across the globe. It has claimed millions of lives worldwide and almost a hundred thousand lives from nursing homes in the United States.

The impact of COVID-19 is felt in retirement homes and assisted care facilities where residents are most vulnerable. With the presence of the Coronavirus, this has exposed more problems and issues that have been around before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Possible Steps to be Taken Moving Forward:

 

Improving Family Involvement in Residents Care Plan

In most cases, nursing homes determine the care that the resident will receive. However, the resident and their family have the right to participate in developing the resident’s care plan.

A personalized care plan to address individual needs is necessary to assure each resident receives the best possible care. Every care plan must be written and prepared by a doctor, nursing home members, a registered nurse, and the resident’s family member or legal representative.

Spending extra time on each care plan and adding in key measures on what to do if an epidemic or pandemic takes place during the residents stay can ensure future success and ease some stress that comes with a public health crises such as COVID-19.

More 24-hour Caretakers Onsite

Understaffing can be caused by several inside and outside factors. It is crucial for nursing homes to make sure they’re able to provide the necessary number of caretakers so that scheduling conflicts and gaps of workers don’t create larger issues. The shortage of staff leads to poor quality of life for the residents. Not having enough staff means longer working hours for those on duty which contributes to work fatigue that can lead to higher risks of work errors.

Along with improving the quality of care that residents receive in retirement homes or nursing care facilities, they must implement strategies and changes to improve the working environment as well as their wages based on the basic labor standards.

Providing each staff member with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and keeping these kinds of tools on site at all times will also help better prepare workers for any form of in the moment public health crises.

Eliminate Discrimination

Then there’s the discrimination on a resident’s Medicaid eligibility because of Medicaid’s low pay rates. Many care facilities will give substandard care services to Medicaid beneficiaries. To fix this matter and provide equal quality medical care for every resident, Medicaid discrimination would have to be eradicated.

Another way to up the quality of the resident’s medical care access would be to bring physicians on site. Currently most facilities don’t have physicians on site which means residents need to be brought to hospitals or Emergency departments for treatment and medication. Trips to hospitals can agitate residents for they are not familiar with the people and the environment. Also, transferring elderly residents to hospitals increases the risk of various types of infections.

Although some physicians do drop-in visits, it is still beneficial to have a doctor or nurse practitioner on site 24/7 to provide assessments. This lessens the residents’ stress and exposure to diseases and infection, especially in times of crisis like COVID-19.

While these recent times have been trying for the entire world, nursing homes across the world, and especially within the US, have been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life and safety for residents and workers alike. Improvements in practices and procedures will inevitably continue to come to living facilities as COVI-19 continues to change the world we live in.


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Senior Housing Ashland NE

Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

More often than not, the primary caregiver of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease might be a loved one, an adult child, a spouse, or a close companion. Caregiving at some point can be extremely demanding, even in the early stages of the condition.

Therefore, caregiving needs flexible and understanding people to deal with changes in the behavior and personality of their loved one.

At the same time, they must be able to communicate with family and friends, as well as professionals about his or her illness. That is why facilities for Alzheimer’s offer the best care for your loved one.

 

Caring for People with Alzheimer’s

It can be equally a stressful and demanding ordeal to care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are a caregiver or if someone you know is, it is essential to know that they too have human needs and emotions.

This means that they also must care for themselves aside from their loved ones. Thus, in order to cope with the strain of caregiving, you must allow yourself to feel different emotions, such as negative feelings, as well as express them and deal with them. This makes a caregiver working at facilities for Alzheimer’s even more challenging.

 

Caregiver Emotions

  • Anger. This emotion can be transformed into positive energy. Thus, you can clean a closet, talk with someone, or take a walk.
  • Frustration. Stop anything that you are doing and take a deep breath, then start to do a different activity.
  • Take time out. Sit in your favorite chair inside a quiet room, spend a few hours with friends, or take a trip to the store.
  • Ask for help. If you are looking for resource services, find out more from family, friends, or local agencies. In this case, it is good to know some clergy and doctors’ offices offer referrals.
  • Identify your limits. Since you are a valuable person, you need to take care of yourself as well.
  • Make mistakes. Mistakes will help you learn since nobody is perfect.
  • Grieve. It is natural to be sad over the loss of anything that used to be.
  • Hope. It is good to know that tomorrow is another opportunity to make it go smoother. Perhaps a new friend may reach out for you or new treatments will be discovered.
  • Laugh and love. It is always important to have meaningful connections.

 

Challenges of Caring For Alzheimer’s

  • Fatigue and exhaustion
  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Overwhelming emotions due to the decrease of a loved one’s capabilities
  • Work and financial complications

 

Rewards of Alzheimer’s Care

  • Attachment with the patient will deepen through care, companionship, and service
  • Skills in problem-solving and relationship will improve
  • New relationships will be formed through support groups
  • Development of unexpected rewards through acceptance and compassion

 

Tips to Care for Patients with Alzheimer’s

  • Prepare for future challenges, reduce frustration, and foster reasonable expectations
  • Develop a personal support plan by balancing your task of caring for a cognitively-impaired adult with your other responsibilities
  • Cope with changes in communication, including trouble finding words and increased hand gestures, among others
  • Develop daily routines to help caregiving run smoothly
  • Deal with problem behaviors and personality changes properly
  • Make time to reflect to make it easier to accept what is happening to your loved one.

You can help a family member caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia at facilities for Alzheimer’s by offering your time to help out and support them.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Memory Assisted Living

Understanding the Person-Centered Approach to Memory Care

Memory care is one of the most important areas of healthcare today, especially with the growing elderly population. As a memory care facilitator, it’s very important to understand the different needs of residents and how to address them properly to ensure the best quality of life for them. In the late 1980s, Professor Thomas Kitwood of the Unversity of Bradford in the United Kingdom developed the person-centered approach in healthcare. This method has the goal of offering care that’s specific to a person’s needs, uniqueness, and preferences instead of taking the more general approach of care based on a disease and its signs and symptoms.

With person-centered care, the memory care facilitator acknowledges the presence of the disease, but it doesn’t focus on that diagnosis alone. Rather, this approach sees a person beyond his medical condition.

 

The benefits of person-centered care

More than the physical effects of dementia, it is the emotional and psychological toll that takes up the most burden for the elderly with this medical condition.

But person-centered care ensures that an individual still gets to enjoy the best quality of life even when dealing with the devastating effects of dementia. This method guarantees that:

  • An individual will be treated with the highest dignity and respect even with their medical condition.
  • A memory care facilitator will take the time to understand an individual’s medical history, lifestyle, personal preferences, culture, beliefs, and even their hobbies and interests.
  • The patient is offered the best opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and build strong relationships with other people.
  • The healthcare team will look at the situation from the patient’s point of view considering the things that they’re going through because of their condition.
  • The individual is still able to explore new horizons and do the things that they love.
  • The patient will be able to enjoy an excellent quality of life with the help of their carers, family members, and peers.

 

The most important aspects of person-centered care

Being diagnosed with dementia leaves a huge impact on a person’s life. Person-centered care focuses on the following points in caring for patients with dementia:

  • A deep understanding of the challenging behaviors for patients with dementia to allow a memory care facilitator to communicate their needs effectively and to avoid any unmet needs.
  • Empowering the caregiver with the information about a patient’s personal beliefs, current health status, relationships, and personal interests to make sure that they are given the best quality of care that’s specific to their needs.
  • Giving the patient the opportunity to be as independent as possible while providing them with the assistance that they need when they need them.

Person-centered care offers a new and better approach to helping patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

By understanding the specific needs of a patient, they are not only offered the best quality of care possible, but they are also given the opportunity to still enjoy the things that they love and not letting their medical condition define the rest of their life.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living Facilities Ashland NE

The Most Important Facts and Statistics About Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are needed now more than ever. With the American elderly population predicted to reach a staggering 94.7 million by 2060, there has been an increasing interest in nursing homes and how they function. To get started, here are some of the most important facts and statistics about these assisted living communities:

 

How many people live in nursing homes?

According to Dr. Tanya Gure, the section chief of geriatrics and associate professor in internal medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, “there are about 1.4 to 1.5 million people living in nursing homes.”

Of this number, 33.8% are 85-94 years old, 26.4% are 75-84 years old, 16.5% are 65-74 years old, 15.5% are younger than 75 years old and 7.8% are 95 years old and older. As of 2016, there are 15,600 nursing homes in the country with more than 1.7 million licensed beds.

 

What are the most common needs of these residents?

A good chunk of seniors living in nursing homes typically need assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) like preparing meals and eating, bathing, getting dressed, going to the toilet, moving around the community or traveling to other locations, managing their medications.

Some residents may still be capable of these ADLs but are at higher risks for falls, wandering, and other safety issues because of underlying medical conditions. Still, others need quick and easy access to medical care when they need them.

 

What are the common medical conditions of nursing home residents?

One of the main goals of nursing homes is to offer assistance to seniors who have difficulty or limitations with independent living because of their medical conditions. Most of these residents are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, diabetes, arthritis, amputations, and eye diseases. But contrary to popular belief, a lot of these residents are still healthy and independent. They just need a safe place to live where they can fully enjoy life without any worries about daily chores.

In fact, almost 20% of these residents have no impairment with their ADLs, 15% have significant cognitive impairment that requires assistance with ADLs, 7% only have mild cognitive impairment and 1% have little or no cognitive impairment at all.

 

What are the costs of sending a loved one to a nursing home?

Another common concern among seniors and family members is the cost of moving into a nursing home. In 2018, the median price for a private room costa around $8,300 per month.

Alaska, Connecticut, and Hawaii have the highest average daily cost for a private nursing home that costs $907, $452, and $449 respectively. Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma, on the other hand, have the lowest rates at $182, $182, and $174 respectively.

Although living in nursing homes is not cheap, they are also worth the cost considering that seniors get to live the best quality of life in a safe, secure, and loving community where they don’t have to worry about anything anymore and just live their life to the fullest.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Senior Housing

5 Ways a Senior Living Center Promotes Safety and Well-Being to Residents

As you prepare to send your loved one to a senior living center, you can’t help but worry if they’re going to get the same quality of life that they’re enjoying in your own home. You are not alone in this because it’s a common sentiment among a lot of family members.

But one of the primary goals of any senior living center is to promote the well-being and safety of its residents through these five ways:

 

Consistent intellectual stimulation

The elderly should never stop learning and every senior living center makes sure that its residents are offered consistent opportunities for intellectual stimulation.

It could be online courses, reading sessions, games, and other ways for them to learn something new and keep their memories sharp for a longer time.

 

Social interaction

Residents of senior living centers are encouraged to socialize and interact with their peers. Since loneliness due to separation anxiety is a common problem among seniors, it’s very important for them to maintain social interaction, especially since it can lead to depression and even early death according to a study by the University of Chicago.

 

Physical activities

A research study conducted by Johns Hopkins University revealed that seniors who are physically active tend to live longer than those who are not.

This is why exercise is one of the primary activities for senior living centers where residents can attend tai-chi or Zumba classes or work with a personal trainer in keeping themselves fit and active while making sure that they don’t incur any injuries.

 

Adequate nutrition

Of course, proper nutrition is very important for seniors, especially those with existing medical conditions. At a senior living center, residents are served their meals so they don’t need to cook.

Nutritionists also take into account the special dietary needs or food restrictions of residents to make sure that they get adequate nutrition every day.

 

Stress-free lifestyle

Most family members choose to send their loved one to a senior living center to give him a more relaxed lifestyle where he never needs to worry about cooking his meals, cleaning the house and thinking about utility bills.

Senior living communities offer residents these conveniences so they can fully enjoy the rest of their lives without any stress or worries.

Finally, there’s always the matter of safety where seniors are more prone to accidents and are more vulnerable for break-ins, all of which are eliminated when they live in a senior living center.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fall is the leading cause of injury in seniors, but this can be prevented with the right precautions implemented in a senior home. Residents are also prepared in case of a disaster and there is on-call staff to make sure that any medical emergencies are attended to right away.

If you’re still on the fence about sending your loved one to a senior living center, you can put your worries to rest because he will surely be given the best care possible.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Senior Living Center

Types of Memory Care Facilitator Jobs and Their Functions

There are a number of memory care facilitator jobs available for interested individuals. But how does each position meet the needs of the patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory loss problems?

 

Executive Director

The executive director will manage the assisted living and memory care facility. Thus, he or she needs to fulfill the following functions.

  • Maintains the operation of the facility, coordinates, directs, and supervises all activities and services
  • Complies with the federal, local, and state standards for the operation of the facility
  • Monitors the procedures and policies, employee morale, and public relations
  • Communicates the facility philosophies and all policies to staff and residents

 

Memory Care Coordinator

It is the job of the memory care coordinator to manage the overall operation of the unit based on the needs of the residents, government regulations, and company policies and procedures.

Likewise, it is his or her primary function to develop and facilitate programming to meet the needs of the residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

  • Build meaningful relationships with a number of seniors and their families by assisting with activities of daily living
  • Attend to individual care needs and know the unique preferences and personalities
  • Notify management of changes in condition and suggest adjustments in the level of care and services
  • Assist residents in life skills and other life-enriching activities indicated on the individual profile.
  • Manage the process of assessment to decide the levels of care and staff
  • Ensure that the community will follow all federal, local, and state laws and regulations regarding resident care and services
  • Assist the executive director in the completion of the annual community budget
  • Accomplish the team member engagement goals and lead in the engagement improvement planning sessions
  • Keep updated in the professional developments of the field by attending conferences, reading, joining in the training sessions

 

Resident Care Coordinator

  • Advocating the concept of the designated care manager all through the neighborhoods by hiring, recruiting, training, and coaching a high-quality team
  • Provide recognition and create an engaged culture for the team members, as residents and families become an important part of the leadership role

 

Memory Care Program Facilitator

As a memory care facilitator, the job requires the development, coordination, and implementation of programs and services for residents with cognitive impairment. It is also his or her job to provide a therapeutic environment that maintains the highest level of well-being of the body, mind, and spirit of each resident. 

  • Make a difference in the lives of patients being served by providing care and compassion
  • Act as a positive teammate to colleagues by assisting new teammates onboard
  • Ensure the delivery of compassionate quality care approach to residents
  • Protect and promote residents’ rights in all interactions with families and residents being a role model for the center
  • Participate in the interdisciplinary team in the development and maintenance of the social service and activity portions of the plan as a member to care for each resident

As a memory care facilitator, it is also his or her responsibility to oversee the activities of the memory care unit. At the same time, he or she directly supervises all the staff as necessary and reports to the executive director.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living Ashland

What You Get from a Quality Assisted Living Facility

Getting old has its moments, but has its downfalls too. For as you look forward to grandkids and comfortable retirement, you also have to deal with a host of physical impediments.

Blurry vision, shortness of breath, and aching joints are just some physical old-age symptoms that materialize in your 60s. It becomes much more pronounced as you enter the era of the octogenarian. And then the need for specialized care becomes more apparent.

This is true even if you were once fit, independent, and on-the-go. Age will catch up with you at some point and the body will start to deteriorate.

Choosing to spend the rest of your days in an assisted living facility ensures that you get the medical attention you need while maintaining a satisfying quality of life.

 

Assisted Living vs a Nursing Home

Some seniors and their families are concerned about the idea of a senior living facility because they think that it’s synonymous with a nursing home. But with a little education, they can learn all about the wonderful senior living communities and options available.

The services and amenities available in these senior living facilities do vary. But here are some features you can expect to find across the board.

 

Nutritious Meals

Eating healthy meals is important in keeping seniors energetic throughout the day. So you can expect any assisted living facility to have both delicious and nutritious meals.

These are often prepared by trained chefs and cater to specific conditions and needs. Residents are served three meals a day according to their changing health needs.

 

Daily Living Assistance

Residents at senior living facilities have staff that is responsible for assisting older adults with activities of daily living (ADL). These include bathing, dressing, and eating. This gives family members peace of mind that parents and grandparents will still be cared for in the best way possible.

 

Housekeeping and Transportation

In addition to ADL assistants, senior living facilities also have housekeeping staff that maintains residents’ rooms and apartments. There’s also transportation to take these elderly occupants to and from appointments.

 

Hobbies and Classes

Intellectual stimulation is important for seniors to stay alert and engaged. This is why assisted living communities run book clubs, computer classes, gardening, and more. Communities located near colleges might enable residents to have access to courses and cultural offerings on campus.

 

Venues for Exercise

A lot of assisted living communities have in-house gyms equipped with all sorts of exercise equipment to encourage seniors to stay active. Some even have its own therapy room.

 

Safe Living Environment

The apartments and rooms for senior residents are designed for accessibility and mobility. This allows them to retain independence while having easy access to expert care and medical attention if needed.

 

Events and Outings

A lot of seniors find it difficult to maintain social relationships. This is why assisted living facilities have a long list of activities for residents throughout the year. Attending cultural events or going on field trips are great ways for residents to bond and enjoy being outside together.

 

Conclusion

Assisted living facilities provide a “home away from home” for seniors who want to receive excellent care, yet still maintain that sense of independence. With highly-qualified staff and trained medical professionals on call, these places give families the peace of mind knowing that their elderly loved ones are being looked after.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

brain exercises

5 Healthy Brain Exercises to Delay Memory Loss or Dementia

Someone in the world will develop dementia every 3 seconds, so it’s no surprise that the number of people living with the condition is expected to reach 152 million by 2050. But while dementia still baffles medical experts, any memory care facilitator would agree that embracing these five healthy brain exercises would help delay memory loss or the onset of dementia:

 

Learn and re-learn

 

Like they say, you can never stop learning. Even if you already have a degree and you have a lot up your sleeve, there’s still room for more knowledge. Sign up for online classes, read about your favorite subject and even write your thoughts on a journal. You can never be too old or busy to add a new skill on your list.

 

Practice a new language

 

According to research, people who learned a new language showed better concentration and better brain function than those who only knew one language. And you don’t need to be in a classroom to learn a new language because there are a lot of online language courses that allow you to spend some time each day to learn a new language.

 

Learn a musical instrument

 

Any memory care facilitator would highly recommend learning a musical instrument because it is considered the ultimate brain exercise. According to research, playing an instrument doesn’t only keep your mind sharp, but it also forces your brain to really work considering that you’re learning something that’s unfamiliar territory.

 

A study by the University of Montreal even revealed that people who played an instrument have faster reaction times and it helps prevent cognitive slips.

 

Work on puzzles

 

Sudoko is a highly recommended puzzle game, especially for the elderly because it really makes the brain work by fitting the numbers in a box with a very specific order. This game helps sharpen thinking skills and prolong your memory. You can also learn a new card or board game and play it with your family. Games like Monopoly and Chess have also been proven to improve cognitive thinking and improve decision-making skills.

 

Read, read, read

 

You can never put too much emphasis on the benefits of reading at any age. When you read, you are not only learning new things but you are also giving your brain a chance to function properly.

 

Try reading problem-solving mysteries that allows you to think deeply about how you can solve a problem, which is not only a great exercise but also a smart way to entertain yourself.

 

Although dementia can happen to anyone, you can always protect yourself from it or slow down the progression of the disease by keeping your brain active with these exercises.

 

The trick here is to always find ways to stop your brain from being stagnant. And if you have a loved one who is susceptible to getting dementia, help him stay active by giving him activities that allow him to have fun while giving his brain a good exercise.

 


Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead