Dementia is a disease that can hurt and limit the strongest of people. As you age, you should be doing everything you can to improve your health and lower your risk of developing dementia. Here are a some things to change in your life:

Add Staples to Your Diet

The three best things you can eat to improve your overall health are leafy green vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. These food also help in reducing your risk of dementia and other memory loss diseases. The antioxidants within these foods can help protect brain neurons from being damaged by any bad chemicals. You should also look to consume more turmeric and omega-3 fatty acids (from fish).

Get A Move On

We all know exercise is good for the body, but did you know it’s just as good for the brain? Regular exercise (at least three times per week) can improve cognitive abilities and performance. Even if you’ve never exercised a day in your life, starting now will significantly lower your risk of dementia for the future. Those who do exercise can even attest to how little stressed they are during and after workouts. And we all know how bad stress is for your health — and brain.Recent studies have shown, the average person 65 and older that exercises regularly will have a 50 percent reduced risk of developing a memory loss disease.

The Right Games

Brain games can help keep your brain active and thus healthier. The games must challenge the mind, but they can be either online games or traditional board or card games. It can be more difficult for older people to learn new things, but it doesn’t mean they can’t master a game they have never played before. It’s important that people use the right brain games to aid in memory retention. For instance, people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s suffer from short-term memory loss. Games that challenge this area of the brain are more effective. For this reason, you’ll find many assisted living communities hosting game night where residents play cards or Bingo as well as other favorites.

Make Some New Friends

Stopping to talk to someone for a few minutes just because you feel like it can also lower your risk for dementia. We’re serious! Socializing has been linked to less of a cognitive decline compared to those who keep to themselves. As you make connections with friends and family members, your brain’s cells will also be connecting — with each other.

Adopting these habits are ways in which you can separate yourself from such a heartbreaking disease. For other useful tips and information, visit our blog! If you’re interested in learning more or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

Bohemia
Hauppauge
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