Training the brain regularly can slow down the loss of thinking and cognitive skills. As the brain is a muscle, it too needs to work out to stay healthy and fit. In this article, we have listed some brain exercises for people with Alzheimer’s disease that your loved one can do in order to strengthen the brain and get the mind working.
Continuously Learn
Having a rigid routine can be very beneficial for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. However, as the brain is also a muscle, after a while it would get used to a routine and will not continue to grow or work as it once did. By introducing new information to it periodically, the brain continues to work hard and make new connections within itself to understand and internalize the new information. This could be something simple as learning new words or learning a new subject by signing up for local education classes. Your loved one could even try taking a new route on a walk and this has double benefits as they will be out and about in the sun, exercising the body and mind as they map a new route out. Trying to pick up a new instrument could also be a fun and challenging exercise for the brain.
Brain Teasers
A fun way to get the brain working is by doing brain teasers and games. Games like Scrabble, crossword, Sudoku and chess are fun ways to engage the brain and exercise it. Look into the online version of these games where your loved one can stay connected with friends or meet new people. You can also introduce your loved ones to video games as more and more people are getting into it. Video games of any nature always have some element of puzzle solving and riddles that encourage the brain to think while using a fun and exciting platform. There is an array of games your loved one can play on phones, tablets, and computers.
Reading
It’s no surprise that one of the best forms of brain exercise is reading. Reading engages multiple parts of the brain. Our brain not only has to just read the words off the page but also make connections between them and form coherent thoughts in our mind. It continues to be the best form of brain training and should be practiced even before being diagnosed as it significantly slows down the onset of cognitive related diseases.
Art
Art is a fantastic way to help those with Alzheimer’s disease express their feelings. It also engages the brain by being a more hands-on experience and helps with hand-eye coordination. Writing is a great hands-on activity. Try writing letters or making cards for friends and family. Other activities include scrapbooking, writing in a journal, arts and craft, and creating a recipe book to be handed down to the family. Each of these provides not only an outlet for emotional expression but also helps practice cognitive and motor skills.
At the end of the day, any form of getting our brain to think and work is a great form of exercise for preventing and training those with Alzheimer’s disease to gain better focus and cognitive skills. Here at TeraBella Little Avenue, we offer a Memory Care option for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia conditions. If you are interested, schedule a tour with us to visit our community for yourself!
