Senior Care Company in Ann Arbor Michigan Provides Anti-Aging Exercises for the Brain

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - May 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Medical researchers are finding that a fitness program just for your brain is loaded with healthful benefits. A regular cognitive workout can improve your concentration, comprehension and recall in everyday life from remembering people’s names to driving across town.

Memory, reasoning and speed of thought processing are known to slow with age, yet expanding cognitive neuroscience research shows great promise in stretching routine “muscle memory” with new challenges that stimulate brain chemistry and activate fresh cerebral circuits. The neurobiology field called “neurobics” specializes in boosting mental acumen through cognitive exercises like brainteasers, word puzzles, computer games and online problem solving.

The more you challenge your brain, the more cells and nerve connection pathways you form across your cerebral cortex. Cognitive stimulation builds helpful proteins, which support nerve cell growth and enhance communication between neurons. Instead of gray matter simply dying as you age, new cells can be activated to grow at any age.

“Protecting brain health is essential, especially for older adults who want to remain independent at home,” explains Charles Williams, President and General Manager of Right at Home of Ann Arbor, a provider of senior care in Ann Arbor Michigan. “In providing in-home care and assistance for seniors, we often find that those who work at keeping an active mind experience fewer difficulties in negotiating daily activities.”

A study from Concordia University followed 333 retirees over four years to measure cognitive condition in the golden years. Those participants who were purposeful about seeking out and enjoying mentally challenging activities experienced less cognitive decline (http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/10/02/maintain-brain-he...) as they aged. Adding a variety of brain-engaging pursuits helped the retirees keep their mental clarity sharp after leaving the workforce.

Being lax with mental agility can lead to foggy thinking, impaired judgment, mood swings, anxiety and depression. A number of brain workout routines are recommended to reduce mental slowing:

Learn a new skill. Your brain kicks into action when you take up a new hobby or activity such as learning to cook different foods, speak a foreign language, or play an instrument or sport.

Read and explore books, newspapers, magazine articles and other forms of written communication.

Write as often as you can. Whether you keep a journal, write emails, jot down family history and memories, or create fictional stories – keep at it.

Complete crossword puzzles and Sudoku. These brain builders are especially beneficial if you set a time limit and work quickly. Merriam-Webster online is a great resource for puzzles and word games. Newspapers and specialty books also publish brainteaser games. (merriam-webster.com/game/new.htm)

Participate in regular brain games such as color match, speed match and word-find challenges. Lumosity (http://www.lumosity.com/landing_pages/515?gclid=COe0797M4...) and Fit Brains (fitbrains.com) offer personalized brain-training programs, and AARP (aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/) lists a number of fun memory and problem-solving games.

Play bridge, chess, or board and computer games. Expose yourself to the paces of mental strategy and focus.

Sharpen your vocabulary through a daily words calendar or more challenging reading topics.

Continue to socialize and verbalize. Talk with others about world events and issues important to you and your community. You don’t have to be a know-it-all – just stay open to interesting conversations without a need to argue.

Right at Home of Ann Arbor senior care in Ann Arbor MI can provide older adults with companionship and help with activities and games that boost cognitive skills, or coordinate library trips to find brainteasers, language-learning audio sets and thought-provoking books.

In addition to proactively engaging the mind, Williams recommendsa holistic approach to better brain health by lowering stress, eating nutritiously, maintaining regular physical exercise, getting adequate sleep and staying socially engaged.

About Right at Home

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers home healthcare, senior care, and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, bonded and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with franchise offices located in 42 states nationwide and throughout the world.

About Right at Home of Ann Arbor

The Ann Arbor Michigan office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, Inc., proudly offering senior care in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Belleville, Plymouth, Chelsea, Dearborn, Canton, Dexter, and beyond. For more information, contact Right at Home of Ann Arbor at http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw or by phone at (734) 971-5000.