Maintaining A Healthy Brain With Age

Nearly every body part changes with age; the brain is no exception. As you age, certain parts of the brain shrink, neurons can become less effective, and blood flow to the brain can decrease. All these changes can affect the brain’s ability to think, process information, and remember. 

Even though brain changes are inevitable, it’s still important to take your brain health seriously and make small lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy brain with age. 

Tips For A Healthy Brain

You can’t stop age-related brain changes, but there are steps you can take to keep your brain healthy as you get older.

Take Care Of Your Physical Health

Your physical health plays an essential role in your brain health. The better care you take of your body, the stronger and healthier your brain. Taking care of your physical health includes:

• Being physically active: Physical activity is important for maintaining a healthy weight and managing your blood pressure, which can affect your brain health. Being active doesn’t mean spending hours at the gym, but finding ways to move your body daily, such as a walk or bike ride. 
• Eating a nutritious diet: What you put into your body can affect your health. While fast food and pre-packed meals are convenient, they do not give your body the vitamins and minerals needed to work properly. Eat a nutritious diet of fresh produce, whole grains, and lean meats.
• Not smoking: Smoking cigarettes puts your body at risk for tons of health concerns. Smoking is also an addictive habit, so don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed if you’re having trouble quitting. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
• Limiting alcohol consumption: Like smoking, alcohol only inhibits your health. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and try switching to mocktails or other nonalcoholic options. 

Get Enough Sleep

Getting quality sleep is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your brain healthy. Sleep is what helps your brain learn and create new memories. Sleep is what also helps you focus and keeps you alert. 

Simply laying your head down at night and clocking in a few hours isn’t enough to keep your brain healthy. You want to ensure you get quality sleep, meaning unsaturated rest. Sleep disturbances are more prevalent in older adults, meaning seniors are more likely to have trouble falling and staying asleep. However, you can rectify some sleep troubles with small changes such as:

• Going to bed at the same time every day
• Investing in a quality mattress that supports your spine
• Eliminating distractions from your bedroom, such as televisions and cell phones
• Limiting your naps throughout the day
• Cutting off caffeine by 3 pm
• Reducing your alcohol consumption. 

Keep Your Mind Engaged

Your brain is a muscle. Like any other muscle, you must train and engage it to keep it strong. Many fun ways to keep your brain engaged include reading, puzzles, and strategic games. Other ways to engage your mind include having stimulating conversations with loved ones (or your caregiver) or learning something new, like a language. 

How Visiting Angels Helps Maintain A Healthy Brain

Visiting Angels of Prescott is a locally owned and operated home care agency dedicated to helping seniors age in place. Ensuring clients can safely age in place means helping them care for their physical and mental health, including their brain health. 

Our caregivers work alongside clients by assisting with nonmedical tasks like housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, and personal grooming. We also offer specialized services for clients experiencing cognitive decline or dementia to ensure they’re safely aging at home. 

Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about our at-home care services for seniors throughout Prescott.