Age-related memory loss is common for many seniors. You want to ensure your aging parent stays mentally sharp in their twilight years and continues living a healthy life. There are a number of fun ways that are proven to boost cognitive function and engagement. Here are a few tips to introduce to your loved one at home or in an assisted living setting.

How Can Seniors Keep Their Minds Sharp?

1. Exercise

Exercise continues to be crucial to physical and mental health in old age. Aerobic exercise, specifically, promotes cardiovascular health and blood flow to the brain. There are a number of easy ways your aging parent can get exercise. Simply walking around the block or the yard of their assisted living facility can elevate their heart rate. Low-impact exercises like yoga or Pilates are easy to perform everywhere, and water aerobics classes are ideal for people with mobility issues.

2. Explore the Arts

It’s never too late to learn to draw, write short stories, or try out an instrument. Art of every form cultivates creativity and also stimulates the senses. It can also be tied to memories; music can be helpful for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Developing a new skill also fosters a sense of purpose. If your loved one has already mastered a skill, encourage them to teach another person. This creates cognitive challenges and requires new ways of thinking that stimulate brain health.

3. Play Board Games

Board games require critical thinking and strategy—both of which are beneficial to brain health. Set aside time to play chess or checkers, complete a puzzle, or play cards with your parent. You can join them at home or with a group of friends at an assisted living facility. It’s also a perfect way to stay social, and healthy competition can create a sense of purpose. Even video games can be beneficial for their reflexes, and they’re a fun way for your parent to bond with their grandchildren.

Assisted living can be invaluable for seniors who need assistance and dementia care. Provident Village at Creekside in Cobb County, GA, and Provident Village at Canton in Cherokee County proudly maintain stunning facilities that are dedicated to comfortable living. They specialize in memory care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and create a relaxing, stimulating environment. Explore their facilities further online. To schedule a tour, call (678) 210-7135 for the Smyrna location or (770) 450-5135 for the Canton community today.