Taking care of our mental well-being is crucial, and incorporating brain exercises into our daily routines can significantly contribute to maintaining cognitive vitality. It’s June, which means it’s Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the importance of brain health and raise awareness about conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a variety of mental and physical exercises that can help stimulate the mind and promote brain health (whether you’re a senior or not). Test your recall: Write something down (a grocery list, a short poem, a favorite book quote, a recommended movie list from a friend)
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Archives for mental health
Aging Unbound: All About Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month is an annual observance held in May to celebrate the contributions and achievements of older adults in our society. It serves as a reminder to honor and appreciate the wisdom, experience, and vitality of older Americans. Let’s explore what Older Americans Month is all about, highlight this year’s theme, and provide activities and ways to participate. Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or a senior yourself, there are numerous ways to get involved and make a difference during this special month. Understanding Older Americans Month Older Americans Month was established in 1963 to recognize
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10 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health
It’s not Easy, But it’s a Start Taking care of your mental health doesn’t always come naturally. Without realizing it, we can accept our reality and believe there is nothing we can do about it. The truth is, it isn’t easy but there are small little actions one can take and then maybe, over time, something makes a difference. Mental Health Awareness Month This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a national movement dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. Central elements of this month include fighting stigma, providing support, educating the public and advocating for policies
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Tips to Give Yourself a Calming Environment
The space around us can have a huge impact on mood, concentration, comfort, and safety. For the elderly, particularly those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, a calming environment can make a huge difference. An environment that creates a state of calm and relaxation can reduce agitation and confusion. The following are three key things to consider when creating a calming environment for yourself or an elderly person you love. 1. Lighting – Since the elderly often struggle with sight, a well-lit room is essential to creating a calming environment. Provide as much natural light as possible, but when that
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How the Changing of Seasons Affect Seniors
Seniors who are afflicted with dementia are more prone to being affected by seasonal changes. If you or a loved one are currently suffering from dementia, you know just how important it is to keep a routine schedule. When schedules are disrupted by the seasons it can be difficult to adjust. Your home care agency has more information on why this might happen. Read more below! How Might Sundowning Work? When seasons switch over, you start to see less and less sunlight during the day. An increased amount of darkness, like in winter, can cause confusion and irrational
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A Laugh a Day Keeps Caregiving Stress Away!
It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine. But how often do we actually enjoy a proper belly-aching laugh with our caregivers? For many people, when caring for aging loved ones, we sometimes forgo setting time aside to go out with friends, have a good laugh and simply enjoy ourselves. But according to doctors, a chuckle a day, can actually keep stress at bay. It may seem like a small gesture, but if done on a routine basis, laughter has been shown to have positive results on one’s overall health and well-being. Below, Freedom Home Care lists a few
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Mindful Breathing Keeps the Mind Young and Healthy
One of the simplest and most important exercises that you could possibly do is one you probably think the least about – breathing. More specifically, it’s mindful breathing. Mindful breathing is the practice of managing stress, anger and anxiety. Stress is triggered in the nervous system where it causes the fight or flight response. This happens when the body perceives a threat and reacts by releasing hormones that create physiological changes like escalated heart rate, muscle tone and blood pressure – a reaction that’s only beneficial when we’re under duress or need to act quickly. Fight or flight is meant
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Activities for Homebound Seniors
Just because your senior parent or relative is not able to get around as much as they used to, doesn’t mean they have to forgo doing some of things they love to do. As we age, physical and mental activity becomes paramount to a long, healthy life. Today, homebound seniors are not limited to playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles all day. There are numerous ideas and activities that your loved can take advantage of and Freedom Home Care has come up with some unique ideas to keep your senior in balance – mind, body and spirit. Health & Wellness
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Maintaining Physical and Mental Health
As our bodies begin to age, it’s even more important to maintain healthy habits to remain your fittest both mentally and physically, especially if you are not receiving professional in-home care services. While it may seem daunting to start these habits now, gradual changes could prove to be very beneficial in the long run. Here are some simple activities Freedom Home Care came up with to incorporate into your everyday routine to help improve your mental and physical health. Add Some Fiber To Your Diet Fiber helps lower cholesterol and fight heart disease. High fiber foods like oats, barley, beans
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Is It Alzheimer's?
There is still so much to know and understand about Alzheimer’s. One thing experts are sure about is that it is a steadily progressive disease that often rears its head before symptoms begin. While almost 40 percent of all dementia patients can point to genes as playing a significant part in their diagnosis most cases, scientists say, occur with no family history or genetic predisposition. FHC searched and found new research stating that in dementia patients, the deterioration of the brain is linked to an abnormal build-up of protein. This accumulation of proteins is said to cause “frontotemporal degeneration.” What
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