According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in nine adults over the age of 45 reports having some degree of memory loss. As you reach your golden years, embracing memory care and focusing on maintaining excellent health is the best way to bolster cognitive function. Therefore, here is some advice for helping yourself or a loved one stimulate your mind. 

Memory Care Tips to Help Senior Citizens Stay Sharp

1. Stay Active

Participating in 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity every day is an excellent way to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. Better still, a recent study found that staying active promotes learning and improves your verbal memory. Committing to a routine of jogging, hiking, or even yoga can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the brain so you’re alert and focused. 

2. Socialize

It’s common for senior citizens to feel bouts of depression due to isolation. This, in turn, can cause memory loss and dementia. Therefore, make an effort to stay engaged. Participate in social functions, whether it be card games with other residents in your retirement community or weekly dinners with family, you’ll improve spirits and stimulate your mind. 

3. Prioritize Sleep & Relaxation

When you’re sleep deprived, it’s difficult to retain information and properly organize your memories. Unfortunately, memory care experts warn that deep sleep becomes more difficult with age. Therefore, let yourself take naps if it’s necessary and also make time for other forms of relaxation throughout the day. Massage therapy can be a useful tool to help reduce stress and aid in restful sleep patterns. 

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet

What you eat fuels both your body and your mind. To bolster memory retention, avoid processed foods, sodium-rich products, and excessive consumption of white bread and flour. Instead, embrace a diet that’s rich in nutritious leafy greens, whole fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins like salmon. 

Longhorn Village, nestled on Steiner Ranch in Austin, TX, is known across the state as a luxury retirement community that’s the premier senior living option for former UT staff and students. If you’re looking for an assisted living center that prioritizes top-of-the-line amenities, cultural outings, and a sense of family, call today at (512) 266-5600 to schedule a tour of Longhorn Village or (512) 382-4664 to connect with The Health Care Center at Longhorn Village. To learn more about their memory care services, visit them online.