As our age progresses, a declining memory is only normal. Barring diseases out of our control like dementia or Alzheimer’s, the average senior is going to have some mild memory issues, especially when they aren’t taking care of themselves and practicing good habits to ensure the health of their brains.

Here at Kingsley in our Canton senior living community, we want you to be able to take every precaution possible to ensure your continued mental acuity. Through providing an enriching environment where you can socialize with friends to cook delicious yet healthy meals, we’re committed to making your time here the best possible. 

If you’re looking for some extra tips and tricks to help keep your memory sharp, here are four tips to get you started:

 

1. Don’t smoke and watch your alcohol intake

This may seem like a no-brainer, but smoking and excess alcohol consumption are bad for your health, especially as you age. In fact, smoking can actually increase your chances of having Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Drinking can also have a negative impact on your cognitive health. If you are an excessive drinker, alcohol can actually cause higher brain iron levels, which can disrupt or harm your cognitive function. Having a few drinks a week is perfectly fine and can even be a good part of your diet. However, it’s when the drinking becomes excessive that there can be harmful negative side effects.  

 

2. A healthy diet is always important

Did you know that what you eat can actually have an impact on your brain function? It’s the truth! Foods containing Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids may be able to help improve your brain function over time. However, that means that you need to make sure that foods containing these vitamins and minerals are an active part of your daily caloric intake. 

Dark, leafy greens, nuts like walnuts and cashews, berries, salmon, and more are packed full with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. In fact, Mediterranean diets that are full of healthy fats, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, are perfect for maintaining your overall health. 

Here at Kingsley, our Canton senior living community with delicious and nutritious menu options is perfect for seniors who are wanting to maintain a healthy diet that’s easy to access. We want to make it easy for you to get exactly what you need in a healthy, but tasty, way. 

A fresh, healthy chicken salad served on a plate

 

3. Keep your mind busy

Even though you may be aging, that doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing brain games! In today’s technology-forward world, there are a million and one ways to play all kinds of brain teasers, puzzles, word searches, and more. 

For example, if you’re a fan of playing word games, see if you can get a copy of one of those big word puzzle books, filled with word searches, crossword puzzles, and more. Or, if you’re more of a fan of doing things online, games like Wordle or Spelling Bee are free to play through the New York Times and offer daily puzzles that everyone can enjoy. 

If you’re more of a numbers person than a words person, then games like Sudoku may be for you. Most daily papers offer games of Sudoku in their daily editions, but there are plenty of websites where you can play multiple games of Sudoku in a row for free.

Don’t stop at playing games on your own! Games like chess and checkers are great strategy games that you can play with family members, friends, and other members of your community. Plus, these kinds of multiplayer games are perfect for getting out and being social. Speaking of…

 

4. Be social

Being social and hanging out with friends and loved ones is a great way to keep your brain happy, healthy, and stimulated. As we age, we’re more prone to isolation, whether that be by our own choice or otherwise. However, that isolation, self-imposed or not, isn’t good for our mental health and well-being. 

Getting out to socialize is a great way to stay active and alert mentally. While it may not seem like too difficult of an activity, keeping up with conversation and knowing how to reply to different situations is a skill that can be lost over time. By putting yourself out there and socializing, whether it be in person, on FaceTime, or through a simple phone call, you can keep up with your mental acuity in a beneficial way for your health. 

Here at Kinglsey in our Canton senior living community, we want you to feel as though you can make friends with anyone in the center and be able to have fun, meaningful conversations. We want to give you an environment to make friends and enjoy who you’re around. 

 

When You Should Ask for Help

Even though these tips can help you keep your brain healthy and active, they aren’t the end-all-be-all to a healthy cognitive system. Diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s are genetic, and while they can help stave off the symptoms for a while, they aren’t a cure. 

There are some warning signs to look out for that are a tell that you should start seeking professional help. If you find yourself:

  • asking questions repeatedly,
  • forgetting words while you’re speaking,
  • getting confused during daily tasks, or
  • becoming lost in areas that are familiar to you,

you may need to consult with a healthcare professional. 

 

Kingsley – Canton Senior Living

Here at our Canton senior living community, those of us at Kingsley take pride in making sure that our facility is prepared for you or your loved one. Our assisted living is perfect for seniors who are mostly independent but sometimes need an additional helping hand, and our facility is perfect for those who are using these tips to stay more healthy, happy, and active. 

Should your or your loved one’s memory start to fade, however, we also offer memory care services to make sure that your loved one has exactly the kind of care that they need, no matter the level. 

If you or your loved one are interested in making Kingsley your new home, contact us and schedule a tour today!