Dementia is a condition in which the a person experiences mental deterioration. This is commonly caused by diseases associated with aging such as Alzheimer's. While there is no known cure for dementia, it is believed that certain mental exercises can improve brain functioning and possibly help prevent or forestall the decline of brain function.
Brain Challengers
Challenging exercises can help revitalize the brain. Work on puzzles such as word games and jigsaws. Try memory strengthening tasks, such as trying to remember as many items from a written list as possible after one minute of studying. Other mind benders include drawing your way out of written mazes, solving logic problems and testing your ability to compete thinking exercises in a short time span. Finally, the Mind Your Mind website, a project of Alzheimer's Australia organization, says you can use brain teasing video games to stretch your cognitive abilities.
Social Interaction
Share your brain power with others to benefit your mind and theirs. Social interaction is extremely important for seniors who live alone and are struggling with keeping their brains sharp. Plan visits to people you already know or invite them to your home if mobility is an issue. Also, if possible, get out and meet new people. Learning new names, new stories and new ideas from potential friends can rev up your thinking processes. Exchange information with your friends and family and stay on top of today's current events to keep your mind engaged and relevant.
Physical Exercise
Body fitness can contribute greatly to mind power. Physical activity increases blood circulation and keeps your brain oxygenated. Get out into the fresh air and take a brisk walk twice a day to be your best physically, emotionally and mentally. Find exercises you can successfully engage in if you are limited by disease or some type of infirmity. Follow a program of exercise designed for those who are chair bound by purchasing a fitness tape for the physically challenged. Do whatever you are capable of to keep your body in motion so your mind can benefit.
Changing It Up
Change is good for your mind. These can be simple changes such as taking a different route when you travel to more complicated tasks, such as learning a new language or taking a class in a difficult academic subject. Test and improve your cognition by changing the way you do things. Switch to using your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, hold your fork and wash your face. Your brain will be forced to learn something new, causing new synapses to develop. The Franklin Institute recommends using two senses at once to challenge your mind. You can, for example, snap your fingers to music while reading a magazine article so you are using your ears and eyes for two different things.
