Remember mastering the order of the colors of the rainbow in elementary school? A lot of us were introduced to Roy G. Biv to master this feat – one of many mnemonics we learn that, remarkably, often stay with us for a lifetime. Even as we grow older, research is showing how effective techniques like this can be to improve senior memory.
As we age, some degree of memory impairment will be anticipated; and naturally it is much more pronounced when Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia is a factor. Scientists are continuously seeking to identify effective strategies to improve memory and cognitive functioning, and have uncovered some interesting findings on “old school” strategies such as mnemonics. Here is what they’ve recently uncovered:
Mnemonics provides an association to a memory through a song, phrase, abbreviation, etc. This type of training revealed noteworthy results in increasing activity in areas of the brain which are typically impacted by dementia, resulting in improved retention of information.
There are unlimited mnemonic strategies that are really effective in improving memory. As an example, try mnemonic keywords. They are an enjoyable and creative way to memorize words in a different language. This involves choosing a word that is similar to the new word you wish to learn, and visualizing a picture that brings the two words together. For instance, if you’re wanting to remember that chapeau is French for the word “hat,” you could picture Charlie Chaplin along with his infamous black hat. The “Chap” part of his name can trigger the initial letters in chapeau, and the memory will stick.
This tactic involves slowly increasing the amount of time between memory tests, and was found to also be highly successful for people with Alzheimer's. As compared to mnemonics, however, there was actually a decrease in brain activity, leading researchers to ascertain that the information had been processed more efficiently.
Spaced retrieval training is highly useful for improving independence and minimizing anxiety for those with cognitive challenges. Choose a desired activity or event for the person to remember, like a lunch date with a friend on Friday. First ask the person a question to ascertain whether the memory is already in place. If not, remind them that they are having lunch with Julia on Friday. Wait 15 seconds, and ask the person the question again. If the memory is in place now, increase the time to 30 seconds, and inquire again, continuing to double the time and ask again. If the person doesn't remember after 15 seconds, keep repeating the procedure every 15 seconds several more times before determining that this is simply not an effective technique, at least not for this particular event or activity.
Both tactics are simple, drug-free approaches to incorporate into the treatment plan for someone during the early stages of dementia, or for anyone who is searching for ways to improve senior memory.
Let Help at Home Senior Care, the experts in respite care in Lincoln, CA and nearby areas, provide further support and resources for someone you love with dementia. Our creative techniques to care help make the most of a senior’s cognitive functioning, independence, and wellbeing. Contact us at (530) 885-7444 to get more information.
Nowadays, music is more available than ever before. For those who carry smartphones or tablets with them wherever they go, hundreds of thousands – if not tens of millions of songs – are merely a few taps or finger swipes away. If you're a caregiver for an older adult, your smartphone may become one of the most practical tools in your possession when you learn about the benefits of music for seniors. This viral video clip from the Alive Inside documentary shows just how incredibly effective music can be for older adults with restricted capabilities and dementia.
With massive musical libraries readily available from places like iTunes, Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify, and plenty of others, we can now find music, in many cases at no charge, in a variety of genres in mere seconds. Caregivers can find out what kinds of music the older adult liked earlier in his or her lifetime. The music a senior prefers may be related to a particular period of time, such as Big Band music, or it might be unique to his or her religious beliefs, such as gospel or hymns, for example. The type of music enjoyed throughout one’s life might also hinge on the person’s ethnic background – like those who prefer reggae or salsa. The senior may also have enjoyed classic favorites like jazz, blues, classical, country, and so forth. No matter the musical preference, access to music could have amazing advantages.
Did you ever listen to a song on the radio and have it transport you back to a specific time in your life? Research has uncovered that music is clearly linked to personal memories. The human brain is actually hard-wired to link music with long-term memories. This is the case even for those with moderate to severe dementia.
Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of seniors through digital music technology, greatly improving quality of life. The staff at Music & Memory train caregivers for seniors and family members on how to develop and use individualized playlists with digital devices to allow older adults who have dementia and other challenges to reconnect with the world through memories from music.
Research has also uncovered that hearing music that is familiar and well-loved can assist in reducing anxiety levels and increase focus on the present timeframe, which in turn helps the elderly with dementia to connect to those around them.
At Help at Home Senior Care, our objective is always to enhance the quality of life for seniors through our creative dementia home care services and support. And, we go the extra mile when it comes to the small things that can bring joy to the days of those we serve – such as through music and other creative activities. Call us today at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about our in-home care in Roseville, CA and nearby areas.
It is instinctive to most of us that socialization with others improves well-being. It keeps us connected to other people’s experiences, beliefs, challenges, humor, viewpoints, and other human occurrences. However, now scientific research is confirming that socializing with others, and specifically socialization for seniors, actually may improve the wellness of both brain and body.
The outcomes point clearly to the impact of friendship and social engagement for seniors. A study performed by Rush University Medical Center determined that someone who noted a high degree of senior socialization was almost twice as likely to remain free of impairment with activities of daily living than someone with a lower degree of social activity. Additionally, a person is about one and a half times as likely to remain free of disability with instrumental activities of daily living or mobility. Very social seniors had a 70% reduction in their rate of cognitive decline when compared with unsocial seniors.
Nevertheless, staying social is not intuitive to all of us, and for many, it actually is more challenging with age because one’s ability to get around can be greatly reduced. Here are several ways a home care agency such as Help at Home Senior Care can help older individuals stay social and protect their quality of life:
In the Social Activity and Wellbeing of Older Australians Study, testing over 6,000 older individuals over about 5 1/2 years, seniors who have routine, regular social activity were shown to have a slower decline in intellectual and memory performance. Better mental capacity was observed most in seniors who were the most socially engaged.
Having a trusted home care agency provide in-home care to motivate and aid with senior socialization may just be one of the most important ways to help an elderly adult continue to thrive and feel alive. Help at Home Senior Care's staff are all fully committed to supporting the independence, dignity, and social connection of every senior we serve. To learn more about our in-home care in Lincoln, CA and the surrounding areas, contact us at (530) 885-7444.
There are a number of aspects associated with choosing senior care services for an older adult you love. In our ongoing commitment to help families knowledgeably sort through their options for in-home care, we recommend the following:
With a professional home care agency, you will never need to worry about determining what services will be best for the senior's particular challenges. Prior to beginning of care, the agency will visit the senior in the home and ask a variety of questions. This information will be used to develop a customized plan of care designed to meet the individual needs of the person who needs care. The agency may also work with the older adult’s doctors or others on the care team in order to coordinate other care services that may be needed.
• Who Will Manage the Care?
A professional home care agency has a supervisor who can oversee regular check-ins and modify the care plan as needs change. Many families also choose to partner with a geriatric care manager who will not only help to coordinate care, but also serve the client’s advocate.
We hope that this information will prove to be helpful in the process of selecting senior care services for someone you love. Engaging the services of a caregiver through a dependable home care agency, such as Help at Home Senior Care, is always the safest choice. We’d love the opportunity to learn more about a senior you love and to help him or her live an active, engaged, and independent life with the companionship of one of our friendly caregivers. Reach out to us at (530) 885-7444 for more information on how our professional home and memory care in Auburn and surrounding areas can make each day the very best it can be for an older adult you love.
Initiating a routine exercise habit is difficult at any age. Performing exercises is strenuous. We don’t want to waste the time. We're feeling the pain from yesterday's exercising. We've all made excuses such as these for avoiding physical fitness; but frailty and advanced age make it even more daunting to keep up with an exercise routine and maintain senior fitness.
Help at Home Senior Care hopes to help aging adults continue to be active with tips to eliminate the following senior fitness obstacles:
Keep in mind that the trick to ongoing success with an exercise program is to assure the older adult feels comfortable and safe with the strategy and the exercises. If pain is felt in muscles or joints the day after exercising, a lowered intensity can be implemented; and check with the doctor if the pain or discomfort continues.
Help at Home Senior Care's caregivers will work with your loved one's physician to implement a safe exercise plan in line with his or her abilities to boost strength, independence, and overall quality of life. Reach out to us at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about the positive aspects of daily exercise in improving senior fitness and to learn more about our home care and Alzheimer's care in Lincoln, CA and the surrounding areas.
The perks of engaging in physical activity do not decline as we age, and it’s extremely essential to have ability-appropriate workout routines for older adults. Even those who are confined to a bed or are wheelchair-bound have a wide range of opportunities available to strengthen, develop resistance, and improve flexibility.
The initial step is always to consult the physician to get a recommendation on the most beneficial exercises and activities for older persons that fit with their activity level and medical history. Initially, exercising even for as little as a couple of minutes every day, repeated several times during the day, can considerably enhance the senior’s health and wellbeing.
Below are several examples of the best workout routines for older adults:
Encouraging your loved one to start and then stick with an exercise routine is integral to success. Try these tips to make it something enjoyable that he or she will look forward to:
For more tips on helping seniors increase activity levels, contact Help at Home Senior Care. Our expert in-home caregivers are knowledgeable in helping older individuals thrive and enhance their overall wellbeing, and we love nothing more than having the assurance that the older adults in our care are healthy and living life to the fullest! Reach out to us at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about how we provide the kind of senior care Grass Valley and other nearby areas choose first! For more information about all of the different communities we serve in California, please visit our Service Area page.
