Uncategorized Archives - Home Care Services

March 20, 2023

Uncategorized

Why Magnesium is Vital for Older Adults

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health, especially as we age. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), magnesium is essential for regulating muscles and nerves, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, and making protein, bone, and DNA. However, many older adults do not consume enough magnesium in their diet. In fact, more than 70% of people aged 70 and older are magnesium deficient.

Magnesium deficiency can lead to several health problems in older adults. One of the most significant risks is osteoporosis. The NIH reports that people with higher intakes of magnesium have a higher bone mineral density, which is important for reducing the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Magnesium also plays a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by regulating blood pressure levels. Studies have shown that low levels of magnesium can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Magnesium deficiency has also been linked to migraines. Some studies have shown that people with migraine headaches have lower levels of magnesium in their tissues and blood. Additionally, magnesium plays a role in maintaining healthy muscle function. Low levels of magnesium can cause muscle cramps and weakness.

To ensure adequate intake of magnesium, older adults should aim to consume 400-420 milligrams per day for men and 310-320 milligrams per day for women according to the NIH. Foods rich in magnesium include:

leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
nuts like almonds and cashews
whole grains like brown rice and quinoa
legumes like black beans and lentils
seafood like salmon and halibut

In conclusion, adequate intake of magnesium is essential for optimal health as we age. Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, muscles, nerves as well as regulating blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Older adults should aim to consume enough magnesium through their diet or supplements if necessary to reduce the risk of various health problems associated with its deficiency.

Horizon Care Services professional in-home caregivers provide services that support both the physical and emotional health of our senior clients. Our screened and trained caregivers understand the importance that everyday health reminders, including medication reminders, play in the health and well-being of seniors. Contact our private duty experts for your free consultation, 1-877-227-3890.

atherosclerosis-home-care-support-for-seniors

January 18, 2023

Uncategorized

Atherosclerosis 101

Atherosclerosis is a serious disease that results from a buildup of cholesterol and calcium-containing plaques on the inner lining of the heart arteries. Normally the arteries are the blood vessels that bring blood that is rich in oxygen from the lungs to the cells and tissues of the body but, in atherosclerosis, some cells of the body don’t get enough oxygen, which can lead to serious organ damage.

Atherosclerotic plaques are made from calcium, cholesterol, fat, and other things in the blood stream. The plaques start off as being very soft but soon harden with calcium and lodge themselves in the arterial lining, blocking the lining and decreasing the amount of oxygen reaching the cells. The main conditions affected by atherosclerosis include heart attacks and strokes—both of which can be deadly.

Atherosclerosis-related Diseases

While atherosclerosis can involve any artery inside the body, the most dangerous parts of the body affected by atherosclerosis are the arms, legs, kidneys, pelvis, brain, and heart. Some of these areas have no redundancy, meaning that there is only one artery leading to the organ. When this is the case, when the artery is blocked, the end result is cell death.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is perhaps the most common disease caused by atherosclerosis. This is because this is one of the organs that don’t have much in the way of arterial redundancy so that, if the artery becomes blocked, there is no other circulation to the cells of the heart and a heart attack ensues.

In coronary heart disease, the plaque builds up over time, leading to a narrowing of the arteries to the heart. At some point, a clot develops in the narrowed area so that there is no blood flowing to the coronary cells and the coronary cells die, resulting in a heart attack.

There is also a condition called coronary microvascular disease or MVD, in which only the small arteries of the heart are filled with plaque. This is generally considered to be less dangerous than if the larger arteries to the heart are blocked.

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease happens whenever a plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, which are the main arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the brain cells. The carotid arteries have virtually no redundancy so, when they become blocked, the blockage leads to a lack of oxygen to the brain, and a stroke can occur.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

This is also referred to ad PVD. It happens when the arteries leading to the arms and legs become filled with plaque. While there is better redundancy in these arteries, many of them can be blocked at the same time, leading to a lack of blood supply and oxygen to the peripheral tissues. Common symptoms of PVD include infections in the extremities, open sores from lack of oxygen to the skin, pain in the legs or arms, and numbness to the areas affected by atherosclerosis.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The arteries leading to the kidneys can build up with plaque, leading to a lack of blood supply to the kidneys. This can cause hypertension and a gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys begin to fail so that they don’t filter blood as well and toxins can build up in the body.

No one knows the exact cause of atherosclerosis. It is believed that certain habits, conditions, or hereditary traits put a person at a higher risk for developing the disease. Some risk factors can be modified. These include eating a poor diet, smoking cigarettes, and being a sedentary person. Things that are uncontrollable, however, include having a family history of heart disease, being male, and being older.

Many times, atherosclerosis has no symptoms, at least in the early stages. Most symptoms happen when the arteries are extremely blocked or when a clot forms in the area of the plaque. Sometimes the first sign that a person has atherosclerosis is when they have a stroke or heart attack.

While there are lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk of diseases caused by atherosclerosis, some people require medications, angioplasty, or open heart surgery in order to prevent the complications of the disease.

November 2, 2022

Uncategorized

The Incredible Benefits Of Yoga For Seniors

Like any workout, beginning a new one is always daunting. Add to the fact that you’re over 50 (60 maybe?) and you may feel left behind, especially when compared to the younger crowd.

However, that’s not to say that you should forego the amazing benefits of performing yoga in your senior years; in fact, if you’re looking to spend a few more decades in great health, yoga may be your fountain of youth!

The key is, as with all other forms of physical activity; to start very slow, at a rate you are comfortable with, and then gradually lengthen workout time over weeks to months.

There is a lot for someone completely new to the yoga way to learn, so there’s no rushing it. Actually, the practice has evolved so much, that many yoga workout studios do not start everyone in the same class; depending on factors such as hamstring/calf flexibility, weight, pre-existing conditions etc., many improvised tools can help out, such as prop modifications. Moreover, the benefits of Yoga are far more than merely physical!

Why You SHOULD Perform Yoga In Your Golden Years

Improved Muscle Mass Without The Load

Common sense would tell you that a high intensity workout program, laced with heavy weights is a disaster waiting to happen. Add to the mix a body that has been through a lot, and you’re cooking up a serious injury.

However, that’s not to say that strength training is bad, on the contrary, it helps to strengthen bones, keep joints supple and the heart pumping blood efficiently. Yoga just makes use of the body as resistance, encouraging resistance against movement (and gravity) thereby helping to develop muscle strength.

Enhanced Flexibility

Loss or lack of flexibility is a major debilitating issue in the senior years. In fact, the primary factor contributing to the high incidence of falls in seniors is lack of flexibility. Yoga helps keep the body flexible, and unhindered in the performance of day-to-day tasks.

In fact, it is touted that yoga can even improve flexibility beyond other methods, since many poses in yoga focus on spine flexibility and stability.

Promotes Bone Health

Many people think bone is just a dead “rocky” substance, when in fact it is alive and important in our everyday lives. Part of the aging process may lead to reduction is bone mass density, a key indicator of the likelihood of fractures or osteoporosis occurring.

As mentioned earlier, the strength training aspect of yoga will have significant effect on bone and muscle density, and can even be used therapeutically for persons already afflicted with bone issues.

Gentle stretches and flexing poses will help to relieve pain, and can pay high dividends through the aging years.

Enhanced Mental Acuity

The meditative aspect of yoga has been shown to keep senior minds sharp. Meditation sharpens many other non-visual senses, as it seeks to remove vision and achieve clarity. As such, it’s no surprise that your hearing, smell, and touch will all be enhanced as you seek to experience the world from a higher realm.

Mental engagement is key in its role in preventing age related dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other related memory loss conditions.

Reduces Symptoms Of Depression

Many adults over 50 struggle with some degree of depression- resulting from their need to feel wanted (such as after retirement), losing a loved one or other reasons. Regular yoga sessions can help reduce the stress load, lift mood, and improve respiratory flow.

Coupled with its ability to improve sleep quality, yoga has many positive effects on decreasing depression’s vicious grip on the aging individual.

How To Start

In order for yoga to be effective, it is important to learn how to do yoga properly. Join a class or watch a Youtube video to get started today!

June 6, 2022

Uncategorized

5 Positive Ways To Start Your Day

When we wake up in the morning what happens in those first few hours can have a big effect on how the rest of the day will go. A bad morning full of stress and problems can have a knock-on effect in terms of your mood and potentially the smooth flow of the day’s plans. When things go wrong, they can cause delays in your day meaning you have a feeling of constantly having to catch up.

We need to take control of our mornings to allow us to develop a positive outlook and be better prepared for the challenges of the day. There are many things we can do to start our day off in a more positive manner helping us have a better day in general.

Wake Up Early

Does this morning routine sound familiar – wake up, shower, eat breakfast, leave for work? If your day starts out like this with no time between these activities you are not starting your day right. A very simple way to create a more positive foundation for your day is to get up earlier, plan to give yourself 1-2 hours of time to spare in your morning routine.

When we allow ourselves more time in the morning we avoid being rushed and stressed from the very start of the day. Getting up a little earlier gives us a chance to deal with problems that may arise such as a car breakdown, problems with the kids or any other emergency that may pop up.

Morning Meditation

The Exploration of Consciousness Research Institute (EOC) suggests that meditation, which includes the recitation of positive mantras, can help your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Carve out some time each morning for some quiet meditation. Establish some positive mantras that will help you focus on having a positive day. (https://eocinstitute.org/meditation/mantra-meditation).

Some morning meditation will help you find calm and prepare yourself mentally for the challenges of the day. If you can begin a day with positivity you will find it easier to face challenges as the day progresses and you may find with positivity you can have greater success.

Eat a Good Breakfast

According to WebMD it is very important to eat a healthy breakfast daily. This is because it helps prepare our bodies for the day ahead, helping us perform better and generally feel better.

After having fasted for so many hours our body is starved of fuel by the morning so one of our first missions is to eat. With the extra time we have given ourselves by waking early we can take our time and choose a healthy way to start the day. (https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits-breakfast#1).

It is important to opt for a healthy breakfast because we want to have the best nutrition and fuel to get us through the day.

Whole grains from cereal or bread
Low-fat dairy for protein
Fresh Fruits
Nuts or legumes for protein

Read Something Inspiring

Use some of your time in the morning to read something inspirational. It may just be positive inspiring quotes or it could be from a book by someone you respect. If you are trying to get ahead in your profession read something pertinent to your career advancement.

Plan to Do Something Positive

Give yourself a goal for the day, something positive that you feel will make an impact. This may be performing above expectations at work or trying to help a friend. Just choose something that you feel can be achieved. If it can make someone else’s day better as well as giving you a feeling of positivity then it is all the better.

healthy-aging-caregiver-support-for-seniors

January 12, 2022

Uncategorized

The Role Of Purpose And Fulfillment In Healthy Aging

Maintaining health as we age is the dream of many people. Aging and living life fully until the end of days is something many people hope to achieve, as it means more time with loved ones and more life experience to enjoy. Being connected in close relationship with family members and maintaining a purpose in life may be one of the keys to feeling fulfilled in older age.

A study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that older adults who had a life purpose, such as goals for the future, performed better on tests of grip strength and walking speed. These are two tests which measure the decline of physic ability and assess people’s risk for disability.

People who had a defined life purpose outperformed others on both of these tests. This demonstrates that there is a potential link between having a life purpose and optimal physical functioning. Authors of the study believe that having a life purpose is associated with taking a more proactive role in life and taking care of oneself.

How to Connect to Your Life Purpose

Throughout life it is possible to become disconnected with a higher opportunity or possibly for life. Sometimes when we have been through a lot, especially as an older and aged person, we may be discouraged if life isn’t what we hoped it would be at a certain point. It is always okay to feel the highs and lows of existence, and sometimes sadness and loneliness can be tools to show us what changes we need to make in our lives and how we can connect with ourselves and others.

When we build relationships with family and friends, we can often discover a life purpose that is greater than ourselves and will stay strong even though tough times. When we engage in relationships, we can often be reminded of the little joys in daily life that come through shared experiences.

Even people who experience loneliness from other people may find comfort and purpose in caring for pets or plants. Any way of connecting with people, the planet or pets can be considered a meaningful relationship. Some people prefer to be alone but also gain purpose from reading, writing, puzzles or other accomplishments and activities.

Enjoying Acts of Service

When we engage in activities, we show the mind and body an active lifestyle that nourishes us. Instead of succumbing to negative thinking and victimhood, we can take action to create a lifestyle that sustains us even in older age. As we age and lose some close friends and family, we may not have the same people around us to keep us company. In this instance, it is possible to make new connections.

Often, we need to go outside of our comfort zones, which can become easier or more difficult as we age. Older people care less about the opinions of others, have a good sense of self-identity, and can act confidently. On the other hand, older people may be less mobile, have less energy, or may lack certain resources.

Yet, there are many programs for older people to engage with one another and with younger people. Consider joining a group with young schoolchildren, acting as a mentor and guide to young people. Or take on a role wherever you live and offer support to others who are less active than yourself.

We can find healthy ways to age if we connect to purpose and fulfillment, which usually means connecting in service to something outside of ourselves. When we are engaged and excited about helping others, we can continue to age with purpose and grace.

January 7, 2022

Uncategorized

Managing Age-Related Cognitive Decline

A slower recall of information is an effect that comes with aging. However, there is a certain point where it is past normal and could be a sign of something more serious. The range on what would be considered average memory loss and dementia or other health-related illnesses varies a bit depending on genetics.

Overall, there are ways to reduce your risks, and cognitive decline or having memory problems isn’t an immediate sign of dementia or health-related illnesses. Still, it could be increasing your risk of contracting one.

Cognitive Health

Cognitive health refers to how you think, learn, and remember. As you age, your risk for memory-related illnesses and conditions increases, so it’s essential to pay attention to what is going on, talk to your doctor, and reduce your risk.

Memory

There is memory loss that comes from the natural process of aging and memory loss caused by more severe conditions. Examples would be occasionally forgetting where you left things, forgetting names of acquaintances, and becoming easily distracted. It becomes more serious when it affects the way you function in your day to day life. The big difference between normal aging and dementia is the degree to which it affects your day-to-day life.

Exercise

Exercising will increase the oxygen to your brain and reduce the risk of memory loss and other disorders. It also releases chemicals that reduce stress hormones.

Managing High Blood Pressure

Controlling high blood pressure will help your brain and heart. According to the National Institute Of Aging, studies have shown that high blood pressure in your 40s-60s increases the risk for cognitive decline as you age. By lowering blood pressure, your risk for cognitive impairment decreases, decreasing your risk of getting dementia.

Eating Healthy Foods

According to Harvard University, eating healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish improves your blood vessels’ health, which reduces the risk for stroke, which damages your memory.

Stay Connected

Stay connected with friends or the people around you, isolation can lead to dementia, and being around others is good for our mental and physical health.

Manage Stress

By getting enough sleep, exercising, doing yoga, and all-around doing things to relax, we can successfully manage and limit our stress. On their own, stress, anxiety, and depression can cause memory loss. By making these symptoms more manageable, you can eliminate a factor of cognitive decline.

Sleep

Adults should be getting, on average, 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Research indicates that poor sleep is a risk factor for cognitive decline (Impact of Sleep on The Risk Of Cognitive Decline and Dementia by Adam P. Spira et al.).

Stop Smoking

Another risk factor is smoking. When you smoke, you reduce the amount of oxygen going to your brain. According to WebMD, studies have shown that people who smoke find it more difficult to match names to faces than people who don’t smoke.

The Take-Aways

All in all, there is an average level of cognitive decline that goes along with aging and other symptoms that increase the risk of developing dementia. Memory loss isn’t an immediate sign of something more severe, but it should be looked at and figured out.

Health risks such as high blood pressure can also cause memory loss and so can certain medications, a mixture of different drugs, stress, lack of sleep, and smoking. It is vital to eliminate or reduce these other risks but consult a doctor before you stop taking medications.

By managing and reducing these risks, you may see an improvement in your memory. You can also exercise and train your brain to keep these skills sharp and reduce the effects of age-related cognitive decline.

Sources:

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/management-age-related-cognitive-decline

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4906299/

Mild Cognitive Impairment

alternative-medicine-for-stress-management

December 31, 2021

Uncategorized

Alternative Medicine Treatments For Stress Management

In today’s day and age, society is typically centered on “busy.” There is this unspoken concept that the busier you are, the more successful you will be or are. However, the busier you are the more stressed out you are bound to be as well.

Stress wreaks havoc on the human body and it can be very hard to control if you don’t know the triggers of your stress.

To give you a general idea, here are the top five most common stressors that are likely causing you to freak out.

Work
Family
Divorce
Major trauma, i.e. death of a loved one, dealing with grief and loss
Major illness
Moving
Finances
Car accident

Once you have identified the parts of your life that are stressing you out, you can move on to learning how to fix them.

Now, of course there is the option of common medications (anxiety medicine), but some of us just aren’t interested in that style of chemical treatment. If you are one of those people, then take a few minutes to read about alternative and natural methods for treating your everyday stress.

Herbal Remedies for Stress Management

The use of herbal treatment has seen a huge rise in popularity in the last few years, even though, it has been used for thousands of years of Eastern culture.

Herbal remedies are an alternative treatment under the umbrella of Holistic medicine that focuses on the individual’s entire makeup, instead of just treating specific symptoms, such as, stress. The level of stress you are experiencing will decide what type of holistic medication or treatment you should avail.

Take a look at a few examples below and see if any fit your needs!

For the everyday jitters or nerves, drink chamomile tea or take a chamomile supplement pill. There are a few compounds in chamomile that have the ability to attach themselves to brain receptors that control stress, just like modern drugs, such as, Valium.
For minor anxiety or stress, consider the herb Lemon Balm. This herb is sold in the form of a tea, as well as, a capsule. A quick cup of Lemon Balm tea in the morning before work/school or even before bed has shown significant results in reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress.
For daily anxieties or scenarios where you know you will be anxious, use Several studies have shown that people who smelled lavender or drank lavender tea prior to a stressful situation display a lower amount of anxiety. Having lavender scented candles in your home is a great way to decrease your level of stress on a daily basis.

Physical Activities For Stress Management

Although this is not exactly “medicine”, physical activity is a prime treatment for stress.
Combine physical activity with some herbal remedies and you should notice a significant decrease in your stress and anxiety levels.

Exercise is the most commonly stated cure for stress, which is why people tend to overlook it. However, exercising is backed by years of scientific research that has proven exercising can reduce stress levels.

This is something you should consider if the bulk of your stress is coming from fear of physical illness. Stay active, run a few times/week or take up Pilates or Yoga.

Take Omega-3 Vitamin Supplement

Omega – 3 is known to reduce the chemicals in the brain that give off stress signals. Taking these supplements once or twice a day will help regulate your stress levels.

Take A Hot Bath

Believe it or not, heat is actually a great way to lower your stress levels. Sitting in a hot tub, steam room, or hot bubble bath loosens up the muscles and settles down the brain. If you have time, try to take a warm bath or go to a steam room a few times per week.

Aromatherapy can play a role here as well by adding essential oils to the water and inhaling their healing aroma you can reduce stress. Jasmine, Lavender, Frankincense

Rose, Chamomile and Vanilla are known for their relaxation properties. Add to the warmth by drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the most used alternative medicine therapies for stress. Acupoints in the body are stimulated by special needles that help relieve tension in the body and relieve stress.

Hypnosis

Another critical tool in fighting stress is hypnosis and especially self-hypnosis relaxation audio CDs or MP3s that are readily available in many varieties. These can provide real results and are versatile enough to be used anytime throughout the day to regroup and detach from the stresses around you.

Combine the above alternative treatments for stress management and see just how much your life can improve!

caregiver-for-dementia-patienst-west-palm-beach-gardens

December 27, 2021

Uncategorized

Signs Of Dementia

Learning a family member has dementia can be scary, stressful, and intimidating. We have all heard stories of our old grandparents who had dementia, and we pray it doesn’t happen to us. You may be concerned about this illness and may be wondering if you could get it.

Your genes do have to play a significant role in the way you turn out, and doctors now have a test they can do on you to see if you are more prone to something. Though we cannot prevent or cure dementia, staying healthy can be a great way to lessen your risk and development of dementia.

What Are the Major Signs of Dementia?

Harvard Health says that dementia is a broad category of other diseases. They usually develop in older adults and can cause some severe problems. If you think your family member or even you are starting to have dementia symptoms, pay attention to these signs.

Memory Loss- This is typically what people think of when dementia is brought up. The truth is that there is much more to it than memory loss.
Confusion- When someone starts forgetting things, there will be massive confusion. This can lead to aggression and agitation.
Lack of Planning- After dementia sets in, someone may not be able to plan their day, plan for events, or plan their lives.
Organization- This also starts slipping downhill. Someone may start to become messy, frustrated, and unable to organize how they used to.
Problem Solving- Someone who suffers from memory loss will also have problems problem solving because they won’t be able to remember the skills it takes to resolve issues. The connections in their brains are lacking.
Motor Functions- As dementia gets worse with age, motor functions get worse too. This means someone may not be able to balance correctly, coordinate slips, and reaction time drops, becoming much slower than usual.
Paranoia- This means things can freak them out much easier than they usually would; it also can be incredibly scary.
Hallucinations- Someone with severe dementia can experience audible and visual hallucinations that may scare them.
Aggression- Anyone who cannot remember may easily get frustrated with others. When less communication happens, it can lead to unwanted treatment, and someone may not know any other way to get what they want.

Since dementia is a broad category of many diseases, there may be other symptoms or experiences that characterize the specific condition. If you notice any of these symptoms getting worse as time goes on, seeking a doctor who has experience in this field is essential.

How To Help Someone With Dementia

If you care for someone with dementia, it is essential to remain positive and keep the mood light. There will be times it will be hard, you will be frustrated, but it is crucial to be patient and understanding.

Help distract a person through fun and easy activities to help keep their mind as active as possible, but don’t push. You may have to explain things step by step and be with them more than you typically would.

Lastly, ask a doctor for help and advice. You don’t have to help someone all on your own. Having a good support system and getting information from doctors and other researchers who study this kind of illness can be vital in getting through this stage in life.

A doctor will be able to provide medicine that may help alleviate other symptoms like hallucinations or keep other chronic diseases in check. Keeping your loved one as healthy as possible is key to helping them live a long and full life.

memory-loss-in-seniors-palm-beach-gardens-caregivers

December 16, 2021

Uncategorized

Active Seniors: Dealing With Memory Loss

Memory loss is often a normal and accepted part of ageing. But it can be hard to deal with constantly forgetting small things like where you put your keys and the appointment you were supposed to go to on Tuesday. There are many ways to deal with memory loss, especially in the early stages. And even if your memory loss is more advanced, there’s still plenty of activities you can safely do to stay active.

Keep Your Memory Sharp

As soon as you begin to notice the first signs of memory loss (usually classified as increased forgetfulness) it’s important to take action to prevent further memory loss from occurring. Start downloading brain teasers to your phone or tablet and playing them in your free time. You can also purchase physical brain teasers if that’s more your style.

You should consider taking a class to learn a new skill as this creates new pathways in the brain. Perhaps a ballroom dance class if you are physically able, or maybe a cooking class if that’s more your forte. If you aren’t able to spend much time on your feet, look into a local painting or art class.

At the early stages of memory loss, it’s also important to spend time with other people. Simply talking through events can help solidify your memory of them. It’s also crucial that you maintain a healthy diet end eliminate any alcohol or nicotine from your life as they only serve to increase the speed of memory loss.

Besides just eating well, incorporate foods with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet as these have proven in studies to help keep the brain sharp. Ensure you also set up an appropriate exercise routine for yourself, whether this is something as simple as a walk around the block every afternoon, or perhaps a senior aerobics class at your local gym—and who knows, you might just meet new friends along the way!

Advanced Memory Loss

Unfortunately, most types of memory loss are irreversible. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t activities you can do to help keep it from getting worse. For those of you who find yourselves losing items often, try having a special place for all your most important things (phone, wallet, keys) and whenever you set things in that place, vocalize that you are doing so.

This way your brain will have multiple inputs (hearing, sight, and touch) and hopefully remember at least one aspect when you need these items later.

Even if you are confined to your home, this doesn’t mean you should stop being active. In fact, it’s recommended you continue to do the things you love. Order a puzzle, do a craft, or sing a favorite song. Although it may be difficult to exercise (especially if you can’t leave the area) consider planting a garden, or if you don’t have access to the outside, research plants which can be grown inside and take time repotting them in decorative pots.

Household chores such as vacuuming, folding laundry, and organizing drawers can also be a great work out as well. If you’re less mobile, try reading new books or magazines and reading them aloud when you do.

A good mental exercise with those with advanced memory loss is sorting objects, such as cards or beads, by color. Even following a new recipe to bake treats in a mental activity that can help you keep your mind active.

No matter the level of your memory loss, giving up and watching TV is never the answer. No matter what your lifestyle, or favorite activity, there are ways to adjust it to be able to do it from home. And above all, take all the steps you can to keep your mind active—in order to slow, and prevent, further loss of memory.

November 23, 2021

Uncategorized

5 Ways Regular Exercise Benefits Your Brain Health

Exercise is well known for improving your physical wellbeing, but did you also know that exercise directly improves the wellbeing of your brain too? Yep, concentrating and working behind a desk all day isn’t enough to “exercise your mind”, but rather you need to focus on performing exercises that keep the brain sharp, free from disease and functioning optimally.

With that said, exercise fits the bill perfectly! Not sure what it does for your brain? Then read on and be left awe struck.

Exercise Promotes Regeneration Of Brain Tissue

As we age, the ability of our brains to regenerate and for new cell growth is decreased significantly. However, research has found that regularly scheduled aerobic exercise sessions were able to significantly inhibit the loss of brain cells and associated shrinkage, in fact, after a period of six months, an increase in bran volume was reported in the group that performed regular aerobic exercise, compared to sedentary individuals who only perform light stretching or toning exercises.

Exercise Can Prevent Incidence Of Debilitating Depression

Ever notice that mega high you feel after successfully completing a workout, a run, or any type of workout? That is your brain on its happy hormone, serotonin, and dopamine.

When these levels of neurotransmitter hormones are high, your brain functions optimally with focus, quick calculating and the ability to recall information effortlessly.

Suffers of depression have reduced levels of serotonin especially, which typically lead to sluggish response time, mental fog and inability to concentrate. It is for this reason that exercise is regarded as an effective mood enhancer and natural remedy for depression.

Exercise Helps Keep Your Brain Well Fed

Our brain primarily uses glucose as its fuel source. However, in order for glucose to be efficiently shuttled to the brain cells, it requires the hormone insulin. Individuals who do not exercise on a regular basis (both aerobic and anaerobic varieties) typically have higher levels of insulin resistance, which is a fancy term to explain insulin’s efficiency.

High resistance means that it takes a lot more insulin to do the job of what a smaller amount should be able to do (think of 50 obese construction workers being needed to do the job of 10 fit ones).

Exercise keeps insulin resistance low, and promotes efficient transport of glucose to your brain. This translates to greater clarity, wakefulness, and improved ability to concentrate.

Exercise Diminishes The Effect Of Stress Hormones On The Brain

The stress hormone cortisol has been positively implicated in a host of processes related to premature aging and breakdown of body functions.

The brain is not exempt; in fact, you may be surprised to find out how much of your lapses in memory may be due to cortisol. In addition to the growth hormone and testosterone spike, which exercise results in, it also increase levels of a brain hormone referred to as BDNF, which helps keep the structures within the brain viable and healthy. In fact, it helps new cells to proliferate in instances where cell death is rapidly occurring.

Keeps Blood Vessels Healthy

Just as how diet, high cholesterol levels and inactivity can affect blood vessels surrounding the heart, so too can plaque formations develop in the brain. These plaque formations may be difficult to detect, but you may experience frequent light-headedness, mental cloudiness, or drowsiness. Or worse, a stroke may occur without notice.

Exercise helps to account for some cholesterol usage, increased oxidation of fat, or by helping improve blood flow to the brain subsequently.

Conclusion

The benefits of exercise on the brain cannot be discounted. The mere fact that exercise can keep you lucid well into old age should be enough incentive to get moving today!

Uncategorized

Why You SHOULD Perform Yoga In Your Golden Years

How to Connect to Your Life Purpose

Privacy Policy | Legal Notice | Review Us Here