As you get older, changes in the brain make it harder to learn new information and recall information you once knew. Fortunately, working the brain helps strengthen and improve your memory, just like exercise does to the muscles in your body. If your loved one is starting to become more forgetful, adding these steps into their daily senior care can go a long way toward preserving their memory.

How to Improve Your Memory

1. Learn Something New

Stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new boosts brainpower by strengthening connections in the brain. When you create more connections, you’ll have a better chance of warding off memory loss. Encourage your senior loved one to get involved in new activities that push them to learn new skills. Find things that may spark interest, such as learning an instrument, taking classes, or trying photography.

2. Stroll Down Memory Lane

Reminiscing is an excellent way to keep the brain healthy and active. Sit down with your loved one and break out the photo albums. Ask them about people in the pictures, which will help trigger memories. This is an enjoyable way for your loved one to work their brain while recalling fond memories from the past.

3. Complete a Puzzle

Doing puzzles challenges the brain’s higher-order executive functions. Sudoku, crosswords, and even jigsaw puzzles all involve an element of strategy, which includes multiple areas of the brain. Theories suggest that doing fun puzzles that engage the brain may even help stave off the onset of Alzheimer’s, though it has yet to be verified. 

If you’re looking for compassionate senior care for your loved one, the staff at The Northfield a Family Service Community in Fairport, NY, will work hard to ensure they feel at home. This 69-unit senior apartment building offers a wide range of amenities that range from meals and medication monitoring to housekeeping and recreational activities. Learn more about this senior care facility online, or call (585) 377-1810 today to speak with a member of their staff.