Exercise for the Brain
As our population lives longer, aging's impact on our cognitive functions becomes more pronounced. Recent studies are providing us with data that establishes that just as physical exercise helps us to remain active and healthy, doing new things that cause us to use different parts of our brains can keep our brains functioning as we want them to.
The "Connected for Life" program will provide its members with access to online games and other resources designed specifically for seniors as well as for their caregivers that will allow us to continue to be independent and contributing members of our society.
Interestingly, recent studies have shown that social interaction is one of those things that help. Playing cards, dancing, puzzles, math games, reading aloud, and almost anything we can do can help. The key is to push ourselves to learn new things and to probe our memories. So...let's all do our part to stay vibrant. We owe it to ourselves, to those who depend on us, and to those we depend on.
Basic Brain Health
Improve Brain Health Now: Easy Steps
We can summarize a lot of research by saying that there are four essential pillars to maintaining a healthy brain that functions better now and lasts longer. Those pillars are:
1) Physical Exercise
2) Mental Exercise
3) Good Nutrition
4) Stress Management
Great … now what?! How do you develop a healthy lifestyle that includes all four pillars? Let’s look at each one.
1. Physical Exercise
- Start by talking to your doctor, especially if you are not currently physically active, have special health concerns, or are making significant changes to your current program.
- Set a goal that you can achieve. Do something you enjoy for even just 15 minutes a day. You can always add more time and activities later.
- Schedule exercise into your daily routine. It will be become a habit faster if you do.
- If you can only do one thing, do something cardiovascular, meaning something that gets your heart beating faster. This includes walking, running, skiing, swimming, biking, hiking, tennis, basketball, playing tag, ultimate Frisbee, and other similar sports/activities.
2. Mental Exercise
- Be curious! Get to know your local library and community college, look for local organizations or churches that offer classes or workshops
- Do a variety of things, including things you aren’t good at (if you like to sing, try painting too)
Brain Exercise
HAPPYneuron has been kind enough to make a number of games available to Home Health Network members for free. Happyneuron has developed a suite of games particularly for seniors. Some of their games were developed specifically for use with touch screens, such as the ones used by many of our members.
Evidence, such as that referenced in the video below, indicates that playing games such as these improve memory as well as cognitive function, and delay the onset of dementia and alzheimers disease. For example, the Bronx Aging Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, led by Dr. Joe Verghese, a neurologist, has followed almost 500 people for more than 20 years, observing what they actually do in their lives and what the relationship is between these choices and brain health. The research found that people who participated in mentally stimulating activities, such as interactive games and dancing, four times a week had a 65 to75% better probability of remaining sharp than those who did not participate in these activities.We encourage you to try them for yourself, both as a member of Home Health Network or by going directly to their site. Tell them we sent you.
Check out a few of Happy Neuron free brain fitness games
The brain needs care just like the body
New scientific research shows that we can improve the health and function of our brains with the right mental workouts. Scientifically designed brain fitness program umosity is designed by some of the leading experts in neuroscience and cognitive psychology from Stanford and UCSF. Demonstrated to improve memory and attention
Lumosity was shown to improve basic cognitive functions in randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Lumosity Users Have Reported:
* Clearer and quicker thinking
* Improved memory for names, numbers, directions
* Increased alertness and awareness
* Elevated mood
* Better concentration at work or while driving
Check out a few of Lumosity free mental workouts.
Brain Aerobics
Brain Strain -- An Exercise in Brain Aerobics
Have you ever seen your brain sweat? Don't you think this is possible after heavy mental exercise -- brain aerobics, if you will?
Recently I returned from a presentation in Akron, Ohio, in which dementia care was the topic. You may have read about Ann Morrison's Alzheimer's research. She stressed the residual improvement one gets from staying active, learning new skills, languages and activities.
Here I have developed a menu of brain aerobic exercises. Consider which you might want to implement with your clients and their families, your staff and yourself included!
Improving Brain Health
Art Kramer on Why We Need Walking Book Clubs
Dr. Arthur Kramer is a Professor in the University of Illinois Department of Psychology, the Campus Neuroscience Program, the Beckman Institute, and the Director of the Biomedical Imaging Center at the University of Illinois.
AF: Dr. Kramer, thank you for your time. Let’s start by trying to clarify some existing misconceptions and controversies. Based on what we know today, and your recent Nature piece, what are the 2-3 key lifestyle habits would you suggest to a person who wants to delay Alzheimer’s symptoms and improve overall brain health?
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