Aging can cause seniors to experience health issues that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is there are steps seniors and their caregivers can take to lower those odds, such as following a regular exercise routine. Here are some of the ways exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease for older adults.
1. Enhances Thinking Skills
Physical activity can boost memory, regardless if your elderly loved one is meditating, walking, dancing, or lifting weights. Regular exercise techniques require using thinking skills before, during, and after completing each routine. For example, when walking through a park, your loved one will need to use his or her sense of direction. Your loved one will also use memory skills to keep track of the distance walked each day, which could boost his or her cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Older adults who need help exercising or making other healthy lifestyle choices to lower their Alzheimer’s risk should consider professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same home care services. Lakewood families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Reduces Diabetes Risk
Seniors with diabetes may experience high blood sugar levels, which could cause blockages in the brain. When blood and oxygen are unable to flow to the brain, seniors are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, regular exercise is a good way to manage blood sugar levels to slow the progression of diabetes, which can also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.
3. Increases Socialization
Aging adults who isolate themselves from the outside world are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression. These emotional health issues could cause seniors to develop Alzheimer’s symptoms such as forgetfulness, slowed responses, disorientation, and agitation. However, your loved one can work out at the local gym with other individuals to boost his or her health and receive social stimulation simultaneously. He or she could also work out with you, other family members, or friends to prevent isolation and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
For families living in Lakewood, Colorado, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Keeps the Brain Active
When seniors exercise, they repeat certain movements and learn new techniques that can boost their mental functioning. Being inactive can cause the brain to forget essential information. A good exercise plan for seniors should consist of physical activities that keep the brain actively engaged.
5. Promotes Good Sleep Hygiene
Lack of sleep can alter the brain and impact memory and mood. If your loved one does not get adequate sleep at night, his or her memory may become impaired and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease could increase. However, engaging in regular exercise can lead to better sleeping patterns by reducing your loved one’s anxiety symptoms. Encourage your loved one to exercise in the afternoon or later to trigger an increase in his or her body temperature and promote good sleep hygiene.
Alzheimer’s disease is just one of the many serious medical conditions older adults are susceptible to. Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Lakewood seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your aging loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (303) 987-5992 today.