The Ways Assisted Living Can Promote Memory Improvement in the Elderly
The elderly population is set to overtake the younger generation in the coming years. This also means that more people will be put into memory assisted living to allow them to live a better quality of life as they deal with health conditions that are related to growing old. Memory loss is one of the most common health conditions suffered by the elderly population.
But memory assisted living facilities can sometimes help improve and preserve the memory of residents through these ways:
Adequate sleep
It’s not uncommon for older people to have difficulty sleeping or getting enough hours of sleep each day, especially with the different changes in their body.
But research from the National Sleep Foundation revealed that adequate sleep trigger brain changes that help strengthen memories and move them from the short-term to the long-term.
Memory assisted living facilities to offer the right environment for residents to sleep comfortably for at least 6 to 9 hours every day to strengthen their brain cells and preserve their memory.
Memory training
With the goal of helping the elderly keep their memory healthy for the longest time possible, several organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Association of Retired Persons have developed several directives related to memory training.
These include lifestyle modifications in diet and nutrition, physical activities, and cognitive training that allow for the elderly in memory assisted living to keep their memory active.
Proper nutrition
A study by the Harvard Health Publications revealed that foods that are highly saturated in fat increase bad cholesterol in the elderly that clog the arteries and cause significant damage to the brain.
This is why memory assisted living facilities don’t only provide the right living environment for residents but also ensure that they get adequate nutrition that’s rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats to increase good cholesterol levels and keep the brain healthy for a longer time.
Mental exercises
One of the biggest benefits of sending an elderly loved one to memory assisted living is the fact that they can be given mental exercises like learning a new skill or practicing a hobby that has been proven to improve memory and cognitive function.
Residents can also stay social with their peers and they are allowed to spend time with family members to maintain and improve their mental health. According to research, a simple 10-minute interaction every day can already help with a senior’s memory in a lot of ways.
Quality of Life
Finally, being in memory assisted living allows residents to enjoy an excellent quality of life that would otherwise be difficult for them if they are staying at home with the limitations that they have because of their condition.
This will help them to not only keep their memories but also build new experiences as they enjoy independence without having to worry about daily chores or access to healthcare whenever they need it.
Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper