Best Brain Exercises for Seniors to Stay Sharp, Curious, and Engaged
The best brain exercises for seniors that help them stay sharp are learning new things, doing puzzles and strategy games, and reading, writing, and telling stories. Staying social and moving your body are great options too.
A scientific review done by Salari et al. found that the global prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in the geriatric population was 23.7%. This means that nearly a quarter of older adults have small cognitive issues.
This may have seniors in Allen, TX, worried that they'll be affected by declining cognitive health. But the good news is that it's never too late to be proactive about brain health. So here are the best brain exercises for seniors you can consider trying.
What Is the Number One Brain Exercise for Memory Improvement?
The number one brain exercise for memory improvement is learning something new and challenging. Because this is so general, it allows seniors to be flexible in finding something they enjoy!
When you push your brain outside its comfort zone with lifelong learning, you create new neural connections and strengthen existing ones. This can actually have a much greater impact than simply doing puzzles or playing games, although these are beneficial too.
What Are Good Brain Activities for Seniors?
Learning new things can be all well and good, but you can't constantly do the same thing for cognitive fitness. Otherwise, you'll get bored.
Here are a few other good options you can explore.
Do Puzzles and Strategy Games
To stay mentally sharp and flexible, try brain games. These can include:
- Crossword puzzles
- Sudoku
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Chess
- Checkers
- Card games
All of the above challenge the brain to recognize patterns, plan ahead, and recall information.
For optimal results, try to slowly increase the difficulty or rotate between different types of puzzles. Also, playing with others can add an extra cognitive and social benefit. Even 20-30 minutes a day can improve your concentration and mental speed!
Read, Write, and Tell Stories
Reading, writing, and storytelling may seem so enjoyable that you'd think they're hacks for brain exercise. But the truth is that these can all keep your brain active by strengthening memory, language skills, and concentration.
Reading and writing both have their advantages, such as boosting:
- Comprehension
- Attention
- Recall
- Mental organization
But storytelling can be especially powerful. Not only does it exercise long-term memory, but it also improves your verbal expression.
And if you write down your life stories and/or share them with your loved ones, then it can keep your mind engaged while strengthening emotional connections with them.
If you'd like more social interaction, then consider joining a book club or discussion group.
Stay Social and Have Meaningful Conversations
Speaking of social interactions, aging and mental health have a lot to do with them. And in turn, this affects your brain health too.
In terms of cognition, conversations require:
- Attention
- Memory
- Quick thinking
- Emotional awareness
Plus, you'll improve your mood and reduce loneliness.
Activities to consider include:
- Discussion groups
- Coffee meetups
- Game nights
- Regular phone calls
When you have an active community life, you'll challenge your brain. The connection with the outside world is invaluable, as you'll keep your mind active and alert, and you'll also experience better emotional well-being.
Move Your Body
Maintaining physical fitness is essential at any age, but especially for older adults. It can keep your body strong, which can prevent falls and keep you independent for longer.
But in addition, it can increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain. And you don't need to do intense workouts either.
You can do:
- Walking
- Stretching
- Light aerobics
- Chair exercises
Not only does exercise support the parts of the brain that are involved in learning and memory, but it also reduces stress and improves sleep. Both of these things can make your brain healthier and stronger.
When possible, try exercising with others. This adds social stimulation, and you can motivate one another to stay consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Stop Boredom in Old Age?
Boredom in old age often comes from a loss of routine, as well as fewer social interactions or feeling less needed by loved ones. But the good news is that it's very fixable!
The key is to create a daily structure and meaningful engagement. Start by putting together a loose weekly schedule that has:
- Physical activity
- Mental stimulation
- Social time
This can look like:
- Joining a walking group
- Learning a new language
- Volunteering
- Reading
When your days have variety, goals, and human connection, then boredom will naturally fade away.
What Should a 70-Year-Old Be Doing Every Day?
A 70-year-old should have movement, mental stimulation, and enjoyment every day. This can look different for each older adult, but it can be wise to spend time on purposeful activities, such as cooking or volunteering.
But make sure to make room for rest and relaxation. This includes short naps or quiet time.
The goal isn't to stay busy; it's to stay engaged, active, and fulfilled while respecting your energy levels.
Which Drink Is Best for Brain Memory?
The drink that's best for memory support is water. Even mild dehydration can reduce your memory, focus, and mental clarity.
Another good drink is green tea. It has antioxidants and a small amount of caffeine and L-theanine. This can improve focus and alertness without causing jitters.
Blueberry smoothies are another excellent choice, especially during hot weather. These berries can support memory and slow cognitive aging.
You should avoid sugary drinks, which can cause energy crashes and inflammation.
Do the Best Brain Exercises for Seniors
If you feel like your cognition's been a little sluggish, or you just want to be in peak form, then you should do the best brain exercises for seniors.
We've given you a good and varied list, so it shouldn't be hard to be consistent with these exercises. You'll find them fun, so taking care of your brain health won't be a chore!
To get more information about senior living in Allen, TX, contact us today. Parkview in Allen provides our residents with three home-style meals daily that are prepared from the freshest ingredients possible.