Senior memory care is a form of long-term skilled nursing that caters specifically to people with memory loss, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. When a senior adult is no longer able to care for himself or herself due to progressive memory loss, a senior memory care residence offers an acceptable resolution. Providing assistance with the activities of daily living, the staff in a senior memory care facility are specially trained to assist adults with impaired cognition. The physical layout of a senior memory care unit is designed with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in mind in an environment that is pleasant and easy for seniors to navigate, and where extra security is in place for seniors who wander, minimizing the risk of injury.

While it’s simply a fact of life that many aging seniors will suffer from memory loss, there are things you can do to deter its progression. Here are a few tips:

• Use your brain! Do something consistently that boosts your brain power. Read, work crossword puzzles, play board games – these are just a few ways you can keep your brain active and alert, as opposed to sinking into depression and harboring feelings of defeat and hopelessness.

• Get that body moving! Maintain some kind of sustained physical exercise. It’s hard to get motivated sometimes – but just getting up and moving around several times throughout the day will help. Work up to doing actual calisthenics or walking with friends, or go dancing.

• Get plenty of sleep. While sleeping less and less as we age tends to be universal, you can implement a few changes to your nighttime routine that will help you sleep better. Organize your bedroom in a way that is conducive to a quiet, restful sleep. Keep electronics away from your bed. Stop watching television at least an hour before bedtime. Have dinner early and curb late night snacking.

• Socialize! Get in the habit of meeting with friends. Go to a movie or the antique mall. This could be considered physically rewarding as well as mentally and emotionally fulfilling. Don’t sit home alone.

• Laugh out loud! That’s right! Surround yourself with positive people. Do something fun and entertaining on a regular basis. Dedicate a particular time of day or week to do something that makes you happy.

• Eat well! Our appetite tends to diminish as we age so you may not feel like eating much, but you should still eat well-balanced, healthy meals, as well as snacks, regularly. Eating in smaller quantities but more frequently throughout the day keeps the metabolism functioning at its best – and it will provide the much-needed energy to perform those activities you’re going to be doing!

• Take care of your health. It’s a rare person who doesn’t have at least some type of aging-related illness or condition that keeps you from feeling as well as you’d like. Be sure to keep your regular doctor appointments, and take any prescribed medications as you’re supposed to. When you notice new symptoms or experience “dis-ease” in any way, see your doctor right away.

There is no magic bullet that is going to keep us all from getting older, but that doesn’t mean we have to invalid ourselves prematurely. Many Americans in their 80s and 90s lead active healthy lives.

Clover Care Home is a senior memory care facility in Shawnee that provides quality care for their residents. We offer a wide range of activities to boost and sustain mental, physical and emotional health, no matter the age or condition. Senior adults can have a very rewarding life here – a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, eating right, and getting proper sleep. We encourage older adults to experience the fullness of life in the community with dignity, joy and the highest levels of independence their health will allow. Call 913-991-2605 if you are looking for a senior memory care home for yourself or a loved one.