Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are common concerns for older individuals. These conditions can be life-altering but often take years to develop. Exercising the mind is an important way to slow this process. Fox Trail Memory Care Living is a memory care community in North and Central New Jersey, where we provide support and resources to individuals with Dementia and other cognitive disorders. Here, we explore memory exercises you can use to slow cognitive loss, improve recall, and keep your mind sharp as you age.
Why Utilize Memory Exercises?
You likely understand the importance of exercising your body to keep muscles strong. Your mind works in the same way. The more you use your abilities of observation and recall, the sharper they will remain. Though memory exercises cannot prevent or cure Dementia, they can slow its progression and improve the quality of life for memory care residents. The benefits are many, including:
- Improved mental health: When people experience memory loss, they may become depressed. Enhanced recollection helps you continue finding joy in your favorite activities.
- Stronger relationships: Self-consciousness about memory can make people less likely to reach out. Clarity comes with confidence, making it easier to keep friendships solid.
- Greater independence: By preventing memory issues, you can avoid everyday issues like forgetting medication or a coat. This helps you stay independent longer.
- Peace of mind: Memory protects you by informing the decisions you make. Better memory keeps you safe and healthy, preventing accidents and giving you peace of mind.
#1 Passive Memory Training
This technique is also known as the four-details memory exercise. It is simple to practice, requiring no special techniques or mnemonics. All it involves is observation and recall. This exercises and strengthens the mental pathways used to codify and access memory.
When going about your day, pay attention to the people you meet in public. Choose an individual and observe four details about them. For example, when walking by a man in the mall, you might observe that he is wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, black shoes, and black-rimmed glasses. Commit this information to memory. Later in your day, try to recall all four details. Start with a single person each day. As you practice, it will grow easier. You’ll eventually be able to recall multiple individuals.
#2 Repeat and Recall Conversations
Passive memory training can also extend to conversation. For this exercise, instead of committing visual details to memory, focus on what the other person is saying. Then, repeat their exact words to yourself in your head. You can start with short phrases, moving on to longer sentences as your powers of recollection improve. You may even attempt to remember the precise wording after some time passes.
This exercise has a similar effect to the four-details memory exercise; it works to improve your ability to store and recall information. It has the added benefit of improving your comprehension during a conversation. For individuals with Dementia or Alzheimer’s, this can help them stay focused, understand what others are saying, and communicate their responses clearly.
#3 Learn a New Skill
While not exactly an exercise, learning new skills is an excellent way to exercise the mind. Simply because a person is old does not mean that they cannot keep learning. In fact, the opposite is true. By experiencing new things and developing new skill sets, you keep your brain strong.
Consider whether there’s anything you wish you could do or any subjects you’d love to explore. Modern technology offers convenient access to apps, videos, streamed lectures, and other resources to learn just about anything. Here are some suggestions:
- Take dance lessons
- Learn a language
- Enroll in a history class
- Pick up a fiber craft
- Practice sketching or painting
- Learn how to repair clothes
The skill or subject doesn’t matter. Simply learning requires information recall, exercising your brain and strengthening it against memory loss.
Other Ways to Improve Memory
Deliberate exercises aren’t the only way to practice your recall. Here are some other ways to exercise your mind through everyday activities and recreation:
- Play games: Crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, and other brain-stimulating games can slow cognitive decline. Even simple board games require rules recollection, helping with memory.
- Tell stories: Storytelling can also help with recall. If the stories are true, try to tell them exactly as they happened. If they are invented, go into detail to exercise your brain.
- Eat healthy: While your diet can’t prevent Alzheimer’s or Dementia, healthy eating does have other mental health benefits that can help you preserve your mental clarity.
Plan Ahead with Fox Trail Memory Care Living
Even with memory exercises, individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia will eventually need extra support. This is why it’s important to plan ahead. Fox Trail Memory Care Living delivers exceptional amenities and support to our Northern and Central Jersey residents. Contact us today to learn more about our memory care programs or to schedule an in-person tour of our community.