Keeping Mentally Fit While Aging

Home Care in Markham – Have You Heard of Mental Aerobics?

One of the all-time favorite movies is “The Notebook”. What makes this movie so incredible is it is not just your average love-story. It’s a story about a timeless love, a love that war, interfering parents, age, and even Alzheimer’s could not break. Each time you watch it you may have the realization there’s a one-third chance of living your senior years being affected by some form of dementia. Imagine not remembering your own love-story, or your own children. Our memories largely define who we are and without them we can only imagine just how lonely and lost one would feel. It is imperative we maintain our mental well-being as we begin to age, thus decreasing the likelihood of developing dementia in our later years.

This information is just as vitally important to you, the family caregiver, as it is to your elder parent. People of all ages can reap the benefits of memory exercise and mental agility.

Ways to Maintain Mental Wellness

1.     Wholesome, Healthy Foods: Our diet is a large factor in our level of health both physically and mentally. Choosing healthy foods can ward off any number of chronic diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Our brain, just as the rest of our body, needs good, high-grade fuel to function properly. If we feed our body and brain junk, we will feel sluggish and fatigued. Providing all the required nutrients and minerals found within healthy food choices will allow our body to run effectively and maintain BMD, and calcium levels later into life.

2.     Healthy, Active Body: As mentioned above, our choice in food will dictate if our body is a healthy, well-running machine, or a machine with clogged lines, decreased levels of required nutrients, and squeaky, painful joints. Remembering to eat a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids and protein will help strengthen and maintain strong muscles, bones, and a healthy, well-fed brain.

3.     Avoid Stress: This is not new news; stress has harmful effects on our body. Stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure are all physical ailments that can be contributed to one’s level of stress. Stress is detrimental to the brain as well. When we hang onto stress, known as “long-term stress” our brain releases increased amounts of certain stress hormones. Over time, these hormones can damage cells. Over long periods of time stress can hasten the aging process on both our mind and body. Learning techniques to reduce stress at any stage of life will only have beneficial effects on your overall health.

Consider hiring home care services to assist your senior parent with every-day tasks of living in the comfort of their own home. This could include bathing and dressing, making nutritious home-cooked meals, and help with keeping doctor’s appointments.

It is your choice how you age. Choosing a healthy path both physically and mentally will help your senior years be longer and much more rewarding. After-all, who wants to forget all the love and positive things in life?

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Markham, please contact the caring professionals at Staff Relief Health Care 24/7 at 905.709.1767.