Skip to main content

Easy Ways to Help Maintain Brain Health


Many seniors may be overwhelmed with all the recent information on how to protect ourselves from cognitive decline. However, some experts suggest it may be simpler than we think and doesn’t require a huge amount of time or energy from us.

One such tip comes from AARP, which reviewed several studies that found a 5-minute walk after a meal can improve brain health. The studies report that a light-intensity stroll after eating made a positive impact on reducing blood sugar spikes and insulin levels. As diabetes is connected to our brain health, prevention is important.

Harvard-trained neurologist Andrew E. Budson, MD, Professor of Neurology, Boston University and co-author of Seven Steps to Managing Your Aging Memory, mentions two supplements that seniors are often found to be deficient in – vitamin B and vitamin D. He says Vitamin B helps to prevent cognitive decline by supporting the function of neurons. While vitamin D has been shown to be low in those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Budson says the cause is still somewhat mysterious. He recommends asking your healthcare provider for a blood test to see if you have low levels of B or D, and then following their advice regarding supplements as they may interact with other medications you are on.

Budson and his colleague, Dale Bredesen, MD, an internationally-recognized expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, additionally explained studies of people who did old-fashioned crossword puzzles vs digital games scored better cognitively and showed less brain shrinkage on MRI results than digital gamers. They believe crossword puzzles may force the person to stretch their brain with different clues over and over while digital games are more predictable.

Since we know sleep is an important component to brain health, the neurologists suggest wearing a smart watch to bed to track your sleep. They explain there are four main goals to track that include:
  • Overall getting seven hours of sleep a night to help boost brain power.
  • 90 minutes of REM, because that’s “when the brain lays down new memories.”
  • 60 minutes of deep sleep per night. “This is when you’re cleansing and detoxing the brain, and is an important stage to relax the brain and reduce stress.”
  • Blood oxygen level of at least 94% saturation while sleeping. “You want to have good oxygen,” he adds. “So many people don’t realize their levels are dropping into the 80s—we even see people whose levels fall into the 70s at night, and they don’t realize how bad that is for their brains.”
At MorningStar at River Oaks, we provide exceptional independent and assisted living to enrich lives including a full calendar of activities that inspire, connect and entertain. Our contemporary-style building offers integrated senior living, a coordinated care model that offers a range of services and living options within one community. The goal is to allow residents to age in place, receiving personalized support as their needs change over time without having to relocate. To learn more about MorningStar’s senior living in Houston, please contact us or visit our website to schedule a tour.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us for more information about the finest independent living Houston offers.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Balance Problems Are Common in Older Adults

The statistics of older adults taking a fall each year are alarming, and consequences can impact the person’s independence, or in the worst case, be deadly. Experts say as we age, our bodies may start to feel less stable due to things like a loss of muscle mass, lack of flexibility and slower reflexes. Poor balance and dizziness can also be a result of medical problems including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, poor vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels as well as medications. Another culprit interfering with balance is inner ear problems. The labyrinth is a part of the inner ear that controls balance and when it becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause lots of problems including vertigo. The condition called Labyrinthitis generally is a result of other issues such as head injuries, viral or bacterial infections, and circulatory system conditions like strokes or low blood pressure. The National Institute on Aging says families and caregivers should be on the lookout for an older ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Benefits for Assisted Living Available to Eligible Veterans or Surviving Spouse

Residents of the MorningStar Senior Living communities include veterans from all branches of the military and we are honored to serve them. As a MorningStar team member eloquently said, “Seniors speak powerfully to the fact that freedom comes at a cost. It requires that you choose to do the right thing which almost always includes sacrifice. Whether it’s time, money or comfort, those who came before us chose to sacrifice to build a better society.” When we meet a potential resident who is a veteran or a surviving spouse of a vet, and in need of assisted living ; we are pleased to direct them to a “Financial Concierge.” These financial services experts have the knowledge to ease and quicken the application process for “Aid & Attendance,” which is a benefit offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Aid & Attendance benefits are a tax-free pension paid directly to a qualified veteran or their spouse in the form of monthly payments, which is subject to change annuall...
Post a Comment
Read more

MorningStar’s Luxury Senior Living in Houston

As senior living communities provide a range of benefits such as socialization, healthcare, amenities, and convenient services, it is no surprise it has become a popular lifestyle for many older adults. If your family has already started the search for senior living in Houston , you know there are many options. This may have left you wondering how to narrow down your search to find the optimal community for yourself or a loved one? Experts say the first thing to do is to find a home that provides the proper level of care. If you are a senior who needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living), assisted living offers you the opportunity to maintain your sense of independence and get on with living your life to the fullest. In addition to 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication management, many assisted living communities offer services including meals, onsite amenities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and more. They also often provide opportunitie...
Post a Comment
Read more