Aging is commonly characterized by joint pains and aches, as well as memory loss, and this at times makes the seniors isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Things today are not as they were as the seniors were growing up and this could at times force them to isolate themselves. Some seniors have difficulty remembering things, and this is one of the factors that lead to their isolation. A lot of assisted care homes encourage their clients to participate in physical exercises to reduce the effects of aging. However, many homes are yet to realize that mental stimulation can be just as effective, if not more effective than physical exercises. There are different forms of mental stimulation for the seniors.
Firstly, we have word games. A word game will help improve the brain’s recall function, thereby improving memory. As a caregiver, you should encourage our loved one to paly puzzle games from the newspaper or buy them because they not only keep them entertained, but they also have a lot of cognitive benefits.
Another mental stimulation game is a card game. A simple game like this can have tremendous effects on seniors because it stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for problem-solving and memory retention. This game will help ensure that your loved one’s mind is sharp, and should, therefore, be played every day before they go to bed.
You can also stimulate your loved one’s mind by engaging them in meaningful conversations. This may not seem like something crucial for you, but it can be of a lot of help for an older person who is used to spending most of their time on their own. You need to make sure that you take time from your busy life and encourage them to tell you about their past experiences.
There are those who use music to help the elderly remember and retain things, and this has proven to be quite effective. Music is effective in mental stimulation because learning to play a new instrument tends to strengthen one’s neural pathways. Cognitive exercises such as learning new languages and introduction to technology have been known to prevent conditions such as Alzeihmers. There are many computer games you can have your loved one play to improve memory.
Mental stimulation is important for many reasons. Mental stimulation is vital because it keeps the seniors connected. As one ages, they tend to stick to things they are most comfortable with, as much as there are changes occurring around them. Introducing technology to the elderly is a must because this is what most practices are based on today. Getting your loved one enrolled in a mental stimulation center will not only make them feel connected to the world, but they will also feel more connected to you due to improved memory.