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Maintaining and Enhancing Mental Function As We Age

Be Mindful of Your Brain
Forgetfulness is often considered a sign of aging. While it’s true our brains change as we age, aging doesn’t always have to equal cognitive decline. There are many ways to exercise your brain and improve cognitive function. Begin by incorporating these five tips into your daily routine to enhance mental function and curb the effects of aging:

Learn Something New

One of the best ways to keep our minds in high function is to continuously involve ourselves in learning. Challenge your mind through learning a new activity, or spending time listening and talking with others who have differing opinions from yours. The curious mind never stops growing.

Exercise

Exercise not only helps physical fitness, but it also helps our brains, too. Exercising increases the number of tiny blood vessels that send oxygen-rich blood to our brains. Exercise can also improve our cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure and can improve mental health and blood sugar levels,  all of which play a role in cognitive health.

Stay Social

Staying socially active helps to keep us moving and encourages mental stimulation through conversation with others. Our emotional health is also tied to brain health, so these positive interactions with friends and family keep our hearts full and our brains healthy.

If you’re having trouble staying socially active, try joining a local club that interests you, or taking a class at a local community center. These are great places to meet new friends and build relationships.

Eat Healthily

Our diets have a lot to do with the way our bodies function, including the way in which our brains work. Studies have shown that those who stick to eating a more Mediterranean diet, including plant-based foods, fish, whole grains and nuts, have a lesser chance of developing brain debilitating diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to increase focus and strengthen our brains. Training our brains through mediation involves two important memory centers, the hippocampus, and the frontal lobe. When we work on our “memory muscles” through intense focus, we increase our ability to retain and retrieve memories. Encouraging this muscle growth through mediation can help slow the progression of diseases that affect our memories. The effects of mediation are increasingly more apparent as we age. A study from UCLA found that those who had practiced meditation for the long-term had better-preserved brains than those who did not.

Spend time each day intentionally engaging in activities that encourage mental growth and function. Doing so will help your brain curb the effects that aging may have on it. By training your brain through the above-mentioned activities, you may also enjoy the following side effects: better focus, a healthier outlook, and increased happiness.

At Surpass, our holistic approach to care encourages our community to engage in many of the activities listed above. We focus on seven dimensions of health that round out our commitment to caring for the whole person.

If you’d like to learn more about living well at a Surpass Senior Living community, contact us for your private tour today!

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Choosing a Senior Assisted Living Community

Make the Right Decision

Making the decision to move yourself or family member to a senior assisted living community can be emotional. On the one hand, there’s the security of knowing they’ll be taken care of as they age, but on the other, they may still be feeling young at heart and enjoying living an independent life.

Although moving to a senior assisted living community can feel far off, there are many great reasons to research early and make a decision to move sooner rather than later. Here are a few reasons to begin your search now:

Senior Living Communities Are Designed Around Wellness

Are you or your loved one still enjoying an active lifestyle? Senior assisted living communities are designed to keep seniors healthy and active for as long as possible. Not just a place to live, senior assisted living communities have been created with a holistic approach to care, caring for the mind, body, and spirit. With many different activities, from golfing to swimming, and other activities designed to keep seniors socially engaged and active, there’s always something to do, keeping those living in a senior assisted living community healthy and happy.

Relationship Building In Your Community

New friendships are some of the best reasons to move to a senior assisted living community. When you or a loved one move into a community, there will be a whole new group of neighbors and friends to enjoy life with. By making the decision to move in sooner, there will be time to get to know the people in the community and form lasting friendships.

Staying social is important to our health, especially as we age. By maintaining social activities, seniors show a less cognitive decline and are more often than not in better emotional health due to the companionship and comfort they find in these relationships.

Amenities Offered

Senior assisted living communities are built for independent living, as much as they are for assisted living. These communities offer active social and event calendars and new, friendly neighbors to enjoy them with. Once you and your loved one learn about all these communities have to offer, from trips to social clubs, you’ll want to join in on the fun sooner than you may have thought.

These communities also offer another important amenity: access to dining and a balanced nutrition plan. In-house culinary teams provide creative, nutrient-rich options to promote a healthy diet. You can be sure you or your loved one will get the vital nutrients needed to maintain their health.

Senior assisted living communities not only offer amenities to keep you or your loved one happy and healthy, but they also offer peace of mind. Senior assisted living communities are equipped with safety and security in mind. From expert care to round the clock security, you’ll feel at ease knowing you or your loved ones are in good hands.

Surpass Senior Living Makes It Easy

We know making the decision to move to a senior assisted living community can be emotional. When you’re ready, we’re here. Contact us for a private tour and learn how your loved one can live a vibrant, active life at Surpass Senior Living communities!

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How Food Can Heal

Our bodies change as we age, not just in how they look, but in how they move and work. One key to staying healthy and increasing our chances of prosperous, long lives is to choose healthy, nutrient-filled foods that combat common aging issues. Our staff at each of the Surpass Senior Living communities understands the importance of nourishing our bodies with nutrient-rich foods.

Nutrition for Seniors

Each of us has been advised on the basics of a healthy diet: eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, choose healthy fats, stay away from salts and sweets. Yet, as we age and encounter different healthcare needs, the way we consume and relate to food can shift.

We may find it difficult to chew or swallow, or we could lose some of our sense of taste over time. With a change in lifestyle, we may not feel like cooking, or we may get tired of eating alone. Each of these scenarios could lead to a lessened desire to eat, turning what was once a smooth-running machine into a slower, clunkier one.   

That is why nutrition and dining at Surpass Senior Living communities are personalized for each resident based upon their individual needs.

Foods That Heal

Common issues arise as we age, which can prevent us from living our best lives. While altering our diet is just one piece of the puzzle, it’s important to acknowledge the role food and nutrition play in our overall health. Choosing food options with our health needs in mind can significantly impact our daily lives and the toll aging has on our bodies. Some foods are especially helpful in combating these common aging ailments:

Arthritis

When choosing foods to combat arthritis, look for those with anti-inflammatory properties, which are known to help relieve pain in the joints. These foods include green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, blueberries, salmon, and spices and oils such as turmeric and coconut oil.

Heart Disease

A heart-healthy diet is key to the prevention of heart disease and other heart issues. For a healthy heart, choose foods such as whole-grain breads, lean meats, and salt-free seasonings. Low-fat dairy products such as 1% milk and low-fat yogurt, are also good sources of lean protein, a staple in a heart-healthy diet.  

Diabetes

Like most health-centered diet plans, the best food choices for diabetes prevention and intervention are whole foods. Asparagus and cranberries provide phytonutrients known to be beneficial in the diet plan of those with diabetes. There is also increasing evidence that certain nuts, when eaten in moderation, help improve blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes.

Memory Loss

Age-related memory loss may be helped by eating foods that are known to boost your memory. Leafy greens, cold water fish, berries and dark-skinned fruit all work to lower levels of cognitive decline in aging adults. Healthy fats, like extra virgin olive oil and cold-pressed coconut oil help fight memory loss. And, although this list can seem ultra-healthy, we can’t leave out those foods high in antioxidants and moderate caffeine levels, like coffee and chocolate, that have also been shown to help to boost memory.

Depression

Our moods can be determined by many factors: our sleep, our daily interactions, and what we put in our bodies. Foods rich in vitamin B6 such as avocados and chicken help fight depression. Tomatoes and walnuts are also known for the mood-boosting properties they offer.

A Final Tip

As you can see, there are many benefits to eating nutrient-filled foods aimed at healing the body. In addition to the above, seniors should not forget the importance of drinking water. Water can help in many ways, from relieving headaches and reducing fatigue, to aiding in digestion.  

After reading and learning about the many benefits of eating for your health, you may choose to meet with a nutritionist that specializes in your specific health needs and goals.  Surpass Senior Living offers nutritional support to meet your specific health and diet needs. Our in-house culinary teams are always mindful of providing well-balanced meals while keeping with residents’ favorites that they’ve enjoyed their entire lives. From assisted living options to memory care, Surpass Senior Living is there for every step of your health journey.

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Simple Ways to Remain Active While Staying Cool

Summer is a time to be outside, enjoying the sun and all our great land has to offer. But, when the temperatures go up, it can be easier to stay inside on the couch rather than stick to an exercise plan. The summer months and higher temperatures shouldn’t leave you sedentary. Sticking to a fitness routine is still vitally important. Older adults who sustain an active lifestyle may maintain the ability to live independently longer and reduce the risk of falling and fractures. So, how can we keep active while keeping cool? Here are some recommendations for staying cool and active during these hot summer months.

Learn more about our 7 Dimensions of Wellness.

Take the Fun Indoors

If the upcoming forecast calls for a heat wave, take a walk inside by heading to a local museum or indoor botanical garden. These places offer long pathways and lots of room for getting in plenty of walking. Grab a friend and enjoy time together while exploring a new place or an old standby. You’ll burn calories checking out the latest exhibits, and maybe learn a little something along the way.

At Surpass Communities, planned trips and outings to local points of interest are just one way we keep our residents active while keeping their interests in mind.

Get in the Water

Enjoy the refreshing water at a local pool or lake to cool off and keep moving. Swimming and water aerobics are great forms of exercise that improve cardiovascular health by utilizing multiple muscle groups, all while putting less pressure and strain on your joints. You’ll stay cool, build endurance and improve flexibility.

Beat the Heat

When summer’s in full swing, midday outings can be downright sweltering. To combat the heat, take advantage of the early morning and later evening hours when the sun isn’t at its peak. Enjoy the fresh summer air and cooler temperatures, while taking a refreshing walk to wake up or a slow stroll to help you wind down for the night. These cooler temperature times allow you to get the amazing benefits of fresh summer air – something you’ll be longing for come cooler weather.  

Retail Therapy

Enjoy a little retail therapy while getting your workout in by heading to a local mall. With long corridors of endless storefronts to gaze in, you’ll keep up with the latest trends and get your heart pumping. And, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor mall, you’ll have air-conditioned pit stops along the way to keep cool.

Hit the Gym

It might not be as much fun as being out in the sunshine, but a gym provides you with multiple exercise options in an air-conditioned community. Take a stroll on the treadmill, or pedal away on the exercise bike. Bring your smartphone along and listen to your favorite podcast or motivational music as you get your heart rate up and burn calories. Surpass communities also regularly host senior-oriented exercise classes to increase flexibility, strength, and positive attitudes. Ask us about them today!

Keeping cool in the summer can be challenging, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting the exercise your body needs to stay fit and healthy. Follow the tips in this article and enjoy a healthy, refreshing summer.

And remember, even though you’re not in the heat of the sun, you still need to stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle along while you get your heart pumpin’!

Have questions or comments? Contact us!

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Get A Mental Workout With Three Simple Activities

Next month doesn’t just mark the start of summer. June is also Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to talk about the importance of mental health. As you get older, it becomes even more important to find stimulation for your brain. Just like physical exercise, a mental workout can keep you focused and cognisant, and independent.

A 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that older adults who received different forms of mental training in their old age still benefited from those lessons in later years. You don’t necessarily need to perform the same tasks as those in the study, but there are three things you can do right now to keep your brain busy and healthy.

  1. Recall tests
  2. Word and puzzle games
  3. Trying a new hobby

Learn more about our Memory Care options.


#1: Recall Tests

Approach this activity as if you’re studying for a test. All of the notes are in front of you, and you just have to try and remember each important point in your head. However, try not to think of something too complicated like a math problem or rocket science. Instead, write out a plan of daily activities and see if you can remember each task without looking down at your sheet. You can also write down a list of items to buy at the grocery store and try to memorize each item to buy before you head to the checkout counter. Over time, your brain should come up with different memorization techniques so that you won’t always have to rely on a cheat sheet.

#2: Word And Puzzle Games

Just because you’re sitting down doesn’t mean your brain should be idle. Grabbing a book of easy crossword puzzles or word searches serves as a warm-up exercise. When you’re ready for a head-scratcher you can pick up tougher challenges like a New York Times crossword or a tough Sudoku problem. If you want to ditch the paper and pencil, you can try your hand at a 1000-piece puzzle or the always-popular Rubik’s Cube.

#3: Trying A New Hobby

If you need something to take up the bulk of your time, you can look at new hobbies to keep you busy. Examples include building model kits, painting, or learning to play a new instrument. Regardless of your choice, the fact that you’re learning something new helps dust off the cobwebs in your head. Specifically, it forces your brain to process and retain the new information. A 2013 study in Psychological Science found that older adults who participated in productive engagement, such as learning how to make quilts or practicing photography improved their episodic memory, which deals with remembering past events. Training your brain to learn new things and retain in for future use will be difficult at first, but it should be easier over time if you commit (and improve) on a new hobby.

Interested in a Surpass community? Contact us.