VISITING ANGELS NORTHEAST OH 440-974-0869
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Serving Lake, Geauga, and Northeast Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio

Visiting Angels NORTHEAST OH
8451 Mentor Ave
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 440-974-0869
Fax: 866-257-1675
Prioritizing Your Brain Health

Prioritizing Your Brain Health

The brain is one of the most important organs in your body. For something so relatively small, it’s responsible for many complex actions and has a hand in everything from memory and sense to behavior and movement. 

As you age, your brain changes, as do many other body parts. The changes to your brain can affect how it functions, ultimately affecting your memory, senses, behavior, and movement. Because it’s so central to your body’s functions, it’s essential to prioritize your brain health as you age. 

Age-Related Brain Changes

The brain grows and develops into young adulthood. By your 30s, the brain starts to shrink and change appearance. These physical changes in the brain result in changes to your cognitive abilities related to learning, memory, and other mental activities. 

While some cognitive changes are normal, it’s important to understand the difference between age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Normal cognitive changes may mean needing more time to process and understand information or difficulty multitasking. It can also result in minor memory laps, like forgetting an event or where you placed your keys.

Dementia is a general term for cognitive decline that does not result from aging alone. There are many forms of dementia, and experts are still learning about the exact cause. Still, they do know risk factors can include a family history of dementia, age, previous head injuries, and certain medical conditions affecting the brain. 

Signs and symptoms of non-age-related cognitive decline include:

  • An inability to perform daily tasks without assistance
  • Trouble remembering the names of close family and friends
  • Getting lost in familiar places, including the home
  • Repeating questions or information
  • Misplacing items, more often than not
  • Forgetting how to use common items 

Keeping The Brain Healthy 

Brain changes are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean they have to significantly hinder your cognitive abilities. You can keep your brain happy and healthy by continuing to challenge it, managing your blood pressure, taking care of your physical health, and reducing the amount you drink and smoke. 

Challenge Your Brain 

Just like muscles in your arms and legs, regularly working your brain is one of the best ways to keep it strong. Do activities that encourage critical thinking, such as puzzles. One study also found that learning creative skills like music and writing may help reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and improve memory. 

Manage Your Blood Pressure

An observational study found that high blood pressure in your 40s and beyond increases the risk of cognitive decline as you age. Even if you’re well into your 60s or 70s, managing your blood pressure can help slow cognitive decline as you get older. Keep your blood pressure under control by eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing your stress. Sometimes, your doctor may even suggest medications to help regulate your blood pressure. 

Don’t Smoke Or Drink Alcohol

It’s likely not a surprise that drinking alcohol and smoking have significant impacts on your brain health. Research finds that people who have a long history of drinking or smoking have faster age-related cognitive decline than those who don’t.

Drinking and smoking can both be addictive habits. If you’re struggling to quit, there are many free resources online that can be a great starting point. You can also talk to your doctor about treatment options, especially if these habits already have detrimental effects on your health. 

Take Care Of Your Physical Health 

Your body and brain are connected. The better care you take of your physical health, the better results you will see in your mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being. You don’t have to be the picture of perfect health every day, but try to make conscious decisions that will benefit your overall health, especially when it comes to diet and exercise. 

Working With Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels is a locally owned and operated home care agency that provides nonmedical assistance to seniors throughout Northeast Ohio. The safety and care of our clients are our top priority. All our caregivers are trained to provide the highest quality of care so families can feel confident and at ease knowing their loved ones are in our care. 

If you or an aging loved one could benefit from professional caregiving assistance, please contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Serving Lake, Geauga, and Northeast Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio

Visiting Angels NORTHEAST OH
8451 Mentor Ave
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 440-974-0869
Fax: 866-257-1675