How A Healthy Lifestyle At Stuart, FL Memory Care Can Slow Down Your Loved One’s Dementia

The body’s ability to heal and repair itself decreases as we age. For people with dementia, this is particularly true. The symptoms of dementia are caused by damage to brain cells and how they communicate with each other and respond to stimuli. Sometimes, dementia can be slowed down by improving your loved one’s lifestyle at memory care in Stuart, FL.

In this post, we’ll explore how a healthy lifestyle in the memory care community can slow down your loved one’s dementia.

Lifestyle Changes

These lifestyle changes can help your loved one’s brain function better and slow down dementia.

• Reduce stress. Stress can cause adverse effects on the brain, including shrinking the hippocampus (the part of the brain that stores memories). By reducing stress, you are helping to keep your loved one’s memory sharp and clear!
• Get enough sleep. Research shows that people with Alzheimer’s disease get less sleep than those without it, which may contribute to their symptoms or make them worse. Getting enough rest is important for everyone, especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease, because it helps improve memory and mood. But don’t forget about getting exercise! It’s important not just because it helps reduce anxiety but also because exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce inflammation in the body – two things that Alzheimer’s patients need help with!

Mental And Physical Stimulation

One of the best ways to help slow down your loved one’s dementia is by engaging them in activities that challenge their minds and bodies. This includes mental and physical stimulation, keeping them active, alert, and healthy.

Here are some ideas for how you can provide both:

• Mental stimulation – engage your loved one in activities like reading, playing games, or doing puzzles. You could also take them on outings (such as going to a museum) or get involved in community events together (such as attending a concert).
• Physical stimulation – encourage your loved one to be active by walking outdoors together during nice weather. If this isn’t possible due to inclement weather or other factors, try encouraging them with yoga classes or physical therapy sessions at home if their doctor recommends it.

Socialization

Socialization is a vital part of living well with dementia. A person with dementia needs to be able to communicate, interact and engage with others to feel fulfilled. Many people find that socialization slows down as dementia progresses, but there are ways to help your loved one stay engaged socially.

• Focus on activities they will enjoy and do not force them into anything they don’t want to do or make uncomfortable.
• Include family members and friends when possible, especially if they make a regular part of the visit schedule. It’s always lovely for family caregivers to get some time away from their loved ones, but you may have other concerns about leaving someone alone at home who has dementia, so it’s important not to leave too long if you can help it! Try taking them out instead! Many communities offer activities such as movies or concerts where everyone can go together, which makes everyone feel comfortable because there are other people around, so no one feels abandoned.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential to helping your loved one maintain a healthy lifestyle. A good diet will give your loved one the nutrients their body needs, which can help slow down dementia symptoms and prevent further decline. Here are some tips on how to eat a healthy diet at Memory Care:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
• Eat a variety of foods from each food group (fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins)
• Don’t skip meals – eat breakfast!
• Don’t overeat – eat until you’re comfortably full (not stuffed).

Conclusion

We hope this blog post has given you some ideas about how to support your loved one with dementia. If you’re looking for more information about caregiving or living with dementia, check out our other resources: we have great articles on everything from meal planning to finding the best senior-friendly independent living community for your needs!