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It is natural for cognitive function to decline with age, but it is not necessarily inevitable. If you want to prevent memory loss as you get older or you have an elderly relative you are concerned about, there are actually ways to slow and even prevent cognitive decline. Below, the friendly elderly care team at Meadowthorpe Assisted Living in Lexington, KY, shares just a few of them.

3 Elderly Care Tips for Preventing Memory Loss 

1. Stay Engaged

The brain is similar to a muscle: The more you use the pathways it contains, the stronger they become. To keep your neurons firing at full capacity, exercise your brain on a daily basis. Consider joining a book club, playing cards with your spouse, or taking up an intellectually stimulating hobby, like chess or Sudoku.  

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

elderly careThe brain uses sleep to recover from the day before and prepare for the one ahead. If you are consistently sleep deprived, it can affect your ability to concentrate. This will prevent you from wanting to engage in mentally stimulating tasks like those mentioned above, which will subsequently affect your cognitive function over time.

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Bad habits like smoking can actually speed up cognitive decline as you age. You can combat the possible side effects of any bad habits by eating well and getting plenty of exercise. For example, researchers have found the Mediterranean Diet, which is filled with fish, whole grains, and vegetables, can prevent age-related memory loss. Taking part in some gentle exercise on a daily basis will also preserve cognitive function and can even speed up the brain’s ability to process information.

If you have an aging loved one who needs quality elderly care or you want a little extra help around the house yourself, turn to Meadowthorpe Assisted Living in Lexington, KY. To learn more about this retirement community, visit their website. Call (859) 878-1300 to discuss your family’s needs today. 

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