Memory Care Exercises For Seniors

Physical And Mental Exercises!

Staying active is an integral part of the aging process. Countless studies have demonstrated that engaging in low-impact activities can significantly boost energy, manage pain symptoms, and help seniors maintain their independence. But staying fit shouldn’t stop after your 30-minute yoga session. Research increasingly demonstrates that adults who engage in “brain games” and memory care exercises preserve their cognitive health for much longer than those who do not. Staying mentally active is just as important as regular physical exercise.

Memory Care Exercises

Getting older doesn’t have to mean an inevitable decline in your mental abilities. There are many memory care exercises in which you can engage to keep your mind sharp and alert. Following these simple steps can help strengthen your memory skills.

• Pay attention. The simple act of developing a habit of actively paying attention can save you a great deal of frustration. For example, it takes no more than a moment to say “I am taking my medication” or “I am putting my keys in my pocket.” By simply stating these actions out loud, you can strengthen your memory for them.
• Chunk. People have the ability to remember short lists, or items in chunks, rather than trying to commit a large amount of information to memory. Example: remembering a phone number. Remembering it as 857 796 6463 is much easier in chunks of three rather than ten.
• Use visual cues. Using visual elaboration to create a mental snapshot is a great way to enhance a memory. Example: you need to call the doctor to make an appointment. Visualize your phone in your home. When you return home, the sight of the phone will remind you of the call you need to make.
• Get organized. Make lists for medications or phone numbers, and keep valuable papers or important items in the same place. Proper organization can minimize frustrating searches for a misplaced item or missed appointments.
• Sleep on it. Our memories are solidified during a good night’s sleep. Allow yourself some time to develop recall for new information.
• Learn new things. Stay mentally active. Do a crossword or read a newspaper. Learn a new skill or maybe take a different route home. This will help sharpen your memory skills.
• Stay socially active. Taking opportunities to be social with friends and family can help stave off depression and stress.

Just like physical exercise, it’s helpful to have a workout partner to help keep you motivated. personal care or live-in caregiver can be great teammates. In addition to supporting cognitive health through memory techniques and activities, they help reduce the physical burden of cooking, cleaning and maintaining a household.