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Games, crafts, other activities help to safeguard aging brain

Even in your 70s and beyond, simple activities including web-surfing, playing bridge and socializing can stave off mental decline, new research says.

Benefits were greatest in computer users and in those without a gene variation linked with Alzheimer’s disease. But even among seniors with that trait, mental decline that sometimes precedes dementia was less common among those who engaged in mind-stimulating activities.
 
The results don’t apply to costly, computer-based games that purport to keep the brain sharp – those were not studied. The benefits were found from activities that many seniors have access to.

“They don’t have to spend their life savings” on fancy gadgets, said Dr. Yonas Geda, the study’s senior author and a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic’s Scottsdale, Arizona, campus.

The study was published Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology. The researchers noted that the statistical link they found with reduced risk does not prove the activities were responsible.

Still, said Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association, the results support the idea that “being engaged mentally is good for brain health.”

The study looked at five types of activities that are thought to help keep the mind sharp: computer use; making crafts; playing games including chess or bridge; going to movies or other types of socializing; and reading books. The idea was to see if these activities could help prevent mild cognitive impairment. That condition involves problems with memory, thinking and attention that don’t interfere much with daily life but which increase risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Almost 2,000 adults aged 70 to 93 without any memory problems participated. They lived in Minnesota’s Olmsted County, where the Mayo Clinic in Rochester is located. They were asked whether they had engaged in any of the five activities during the previous year and if so, how often. They were tested for the condition in mental exams at the beginning and every 15 months for about four years. During that time, 456 study participants developed the mild impairment.
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Tracy Visits is passionate about keeping your loved ones mentally engaged with each caring and compassionate visit.  Please read the 5 reasons below on the importance of keeping our loved ones socially active. 

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Seniors with dementia are at a higher risk of social isolation and depression if they don't have the support of loved ones. According to the Alzheimer's Association, research has shown that people who are regularly engaged in social interactions and activities are also better able to maintain healthy cognitive functions. If you have elderly relatives who have been diagnosed with dementia, here are five reasons to ensure that they stay active and social.

1. Loneliness has been linked to cognitive decline.
Research has found links between cognitive impairment and loneliness. According to AARP, one recent study by researchers at Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group found that people who have more support in their lives have a lower chance of developing memory-loss symptoms. The study surveyed 2,249 elderly women over the course of four years, focusing on the amount of social support they had on a day-to-day basis. The results showed that those who had larger social networks were 26 percent less likely to develop dementia than the participants with smaller social circles. 

"If you stay connected, you have a better shot [at avoiding cognitive decline]," said Valerie Crooks, clinical trials administrative director at Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group and lead author of the study. "Whenever we have even the most basic exchange, we have to think about how to respond, and that stimulates the brain. There are people who are outliers, who have two very close relationships and are fine cognitively. But people who have three or more relationships tend to do better."

2. Mental stimulation can have physical benefits.
Social interactions often lead to many additional healthily lifestyle changes. For example, the University of Rochester Medical Center explained that increased social activity among seniors has the potential to lower blood pressure and reduce their risk of cardiovascular problems and various forms of arthritis. This is usually because those who are socially engaged are also more physically active and are more likely to maintain a nutritious diet. Social activities can also help people reduce stress and anxiety, which is what ultimately leads to lower blood pressure levels.

3. Being social helps seniors avoid mental health conditions.
People who are frequently engaged in activities with friends or family, or who have someone reliable to talk to often have a more positive outlook than those who don't. Participating in hobbies and activities with others can also help them find pleasure in life when things get difficult. The Alzheimer's Society noted that remaining socially active may improve sleep quality as well. This is important, as getting a good night's rest is key to avoiding conditions like depression and anxiety, which people with dementia tend to be more vulnerable to. 

4. Social support helps seniors maintain their independence.
Social isolation frequently leads to depression and a myriad of other mental health issues like anxiety that increase the amount of extra support seniors need. The Alzheimer's Society explained that when people don't have the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions to others, this results in frustration that may cause further alienation from friends and family. Being surrounded by friends and individuals they can trust increases self confidence and sense of purpose. This is why many people experiencing memory loss move to a dementia care community where they have the full-time support of a caregiver and the opportunity to partake in a variety of events and social gatherings on a daily basis.

5. It can be beneficial to communicate through activities.
The Alzheimer's Society pointed out that it's not uncommon for people in the later stages of dementia to show a behavior or need through an action. For example, they may tap or move their feet across the floor for a number of reasons, whether this means they're frustrated or excited. If this is the case, talk to them while playing music or dancing. This will encourage self expression and can be very soothing for them if they were upset. They'll also benefit from the communication if you talk to them frequently while doing daily tasks like sweeping or cooking. Although they may not respond, listening and interpreting what you're saying will stimulate the brain.
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10 reasons why you need to talk with an elderly person

I love old people

Conventionally, “elderly” has been defined as a chronological age of 65 years old or older, while those from 65 through 74 years old are referred to as “early elderly” and those over 75 years old as “late elderly.” Whatever age someone qualifies as elderly (or old, or aged, or senior), is irrelevant to this hub. The people referred to as elderly herein are those who have advanced in years well beyond ourselves and so by spending time with them, we are able to learn about them and from them.

I love old people. I think they are some of the coolest dudes and dudettes on the planet. They intrigue me, fascinate me, amuse me and teach me whenever I am around them. From my experience interacting with the elderly, I have come up with 10 reasons why every person should spend time talking with older people.

1. To learn patience
Old people are slower than young people. That’s just the way it is. They move slower, think slower and talk slower. Their ability to transfer their thoughts into actions and words takes longer. So why use up your valuable, busy time with them? By waiting for the elderly person to say what it is they want to say, you learn the lost art of patience. We live in such a fast paced world. We expect the answer to our question as fast as we can click a mouse. We expect our hot food as quick as the microwave can warm it and even then we stand watching the numbers count down asking ourselves why it's taking so long.

We are in desperate need of patience today. We need to learn to stop and smell the roses. We need to rediscover the lost art of meaningful communication, no matter how long the person takes to speak. The elderly are always patient. They are never in a rush but they can sense when others are. The challenge when talking with an elderly person is to genuinely want to be with them at that time and for as long as is necessary to make them feel loved and wanted. Old people ooze patience and grace as they put up with the rudeness of the younger generations. We could take a leaf out of their book.

2. To hear their stories
You don’t get to be a senior citizen without encountering some amazing life stories along the way. We will spend copious amounts of money to watch movies that tell stories that are not any better than the real life adventures these elderly folk have lived through. Get any older veteran to start telling tales of WW2 and you will see the memories flooding his expressions as he re-lives each moment again whilst relating it to you. I had a great time listening to an old Canadian air force pilot from the war the other day who told me about how he had been forced to land in England, separated from all his squadron. He spent the next three years of the war living and fighting with the RAF out of Britain and told story after story about their exploits together. Then there’s the tales of how they survived with rations and would chew the tar off the roads like it was chewing gum.

Just ask an elderly person about their childhood, sit back and enjoy, for free, some of the greatest true stories ever told.
 

Laughter will extend your life


3. To help them live longer
It has been proven that laughter relieves stress and less stress increases length of life. There is nothing as heart warming as seeing an elderly lady with tears of laughter in her eyes. When I was a police officer, I befriended an elderly lady in the town where I worked. I had initially been called to her home because she had fallen, but we soon developed a close friendship and I would visit her every week, sometimes on duty and sometimes off. I remember the first time I took my wife with me to visit, and old Lucy would tease me about how I couldn’t possibly have a wife because she herself was my true love. We would laugh and joke around with each other. Whenever I entered her room she would be sitting crouched over sleeping, but by the time I left, her eyes were alive, she was radiant, and full of vim and vigor. Even after I had been posted elsewhere, I visited when I could, and Lucy’s daughter actually called me to let me know when her mother passed away so I could attend the funeral.

There is a tendency to look at old people as miserable because their faces have sagged, but the truth is that on the inside they still feel 20 years old and want to laugh. Go ahead, laugh with them and you will end up with the opportunity to laugh with them longer than you even expected.


4. To avoid regrets
Too many people are left standing at the graveside of an elderly loved one and wishing they had only spent more time with that person. Oh, we all have legitimate reasons for not stopping by and spending an afternoon with Nanna, but after they are gone those missed times cannot be regained. Don’t be a person that lives with regrets. Make it a point to schedule time to visit your elderly relatives, or maybe even just some of the older folks on your street. They will love the company and the investment, and the truth is that you will too. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today, because for the elderly, the tomorrows are vanishing faster then you realize.

5. It helps to keep them mentally agile
If old people spend all their time around other old people, or worse, with no visitors at all, their minds will shut down. It is important that they are stimulated mentally. Regular visits and conversation that causes them to remember, analyze and compute things, helps to keep them alert and in turn alive longer. A muscle that is never used will atrophy and in the same way their unused brain will wither much faster. It is a beautiful cycle – spending more time with them causes them to use their mind more which causes them to live longer which enables you to spend more time with them. Get the idea?
 

More old people than you realize want to embrace technology


6. To help them with technology
My own parents, who are in their 70’s, have embraced the technological age, being competent enough to surf the web and send emails. My dad can even attach a picture now! My in-laws on the other hand, are completely computer illiterate. I have offered to help them get familiar with the basics of a computer but they aren’t interested. There are elderly folks that could benefit tremendously from being able to use the internet to communicate, read and enjoy all it has to offer. Never assume that because someone is older they have no interest in technology. We will reach the point when all elderly people will have grown up with the internet. However, even then, technology will still be advancing at lightning speed so the older folk will need to be educated about the use of “thought messaging” or “tele-transportation” or whatever the human mind has come up with. Helping an old person with technology will test my 1st point about patience to its limits, but does that mean we shouldn’t do it? Never. Again, think about the benefits for the elderly person and help them program your number into their speed dial so they can call you at 4 am in the morning when they wake up!

7. To learn from their wisdom and experience
Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun and that is actually a true statement in the eyes of an elderly person. They may see new fads and new technology come along, but they will tell you that it is usually just an old idea that has been re-packaged. They will relate everything to simple principles. You may be having a disagreement with your neighbor over his dog leaving packages on your lawn, but an elderly person will not be thinking so much about the packages but about the relationship you have with your neighbor that might last for years. They will always talk to you about what you need to do in the situation and not what the other person should do. You see, old people grew up being responsible for their own actions. They would admit if they were wrong and suffer the consequences. Nowadays, people always want to blame someone else. That is not wise. My Grandad would always tell me that you can only change one person in a situation and that is yourself. He was a wise man. He also taught me to hold a wine bottle by the neck and a woman by the waist, and not to get the two mixed up!

8. To learn to think outside yourself
We are an inherently selfish people and, with some notable exceptions, tend to think more about ourselves than others. That may serve well for a short while but ultimately it will lead to the breakdown of society. It is said that no man is an island, so we need others. We need the interaction of a variety of people, including our older relatives. If we were to stop inspecting our own navels for a bit and look at the elderly people around us who are lonely, confused and scared, we might learn to be able to give a little bit of ourselves away, and grow in the process. I challenge you to go out of your way to force yourself to invest some of your precious time with an elderly relative. Spend that time thinking about how you can encourage them. Do it all for their good and not your own. You will be surprised just how much joy you will get out of it if you attack it with the right attitude. Invest in them, and when you are elderly yourself, maybe someone will invest in you.
 

Beige is the new black


9. To learn to wear beige
This one is a little light-hearted, but take a look at the clothes that teenagers wear and you will see that variety is the spice of life with regards to styles and colours. Check out the middle aged and although they may not be “fashionable” they still embrace different colours. Yet, when a person (specifically a male person) reaches the status of elderly, he more often than not will dress from head to toe in beige. Now, there may be a variety of beige. For example, he may have tan shoes, khaki pants, a cream coloured sweater and fawn shirt, but the predominant colour swatch is that of a walking sandstorm. So why wear beige? My conclusion is in three parts:

It blends effortlessly with their white hair. Bright colours would clash with the snowy top.
Beige is notoriously good for hiding blemishes, such as dribbles or other less pleasant accidents.
It is a neutral colour, and because a lot of older people feel worthless (due to lack of respect from younger people), they would rather not stand out from the crowd and be ridiculed.
 
10. To appreciate what they went through
By listening to an elderly person’s stories of the hardships they went through over the years, you grow to appreciate just how good your life is. Listen to them tell about what it was like to lose close friends in the bombings in WW2 or how the rations were shared out amongst the whole family, or how 6 siblings shared one bed in a small room. Listen to the stories of getting up in the early hours to trudge off to the factory to earn a meager living and then walk home to go to their other job just to make ends meet. Listen to the sacrifices they made so their children could succeed. Listen to the grandmothers speak of their husbands and sons who never came back from the battle. If you hear the “in my day” stories you might chuckle at first, but if you listen to what is really being said, you will appreciate exactly what these people had to endure for us to be where we are today.


Remember...


Remember as you consider these 10 things I have learned from the elderly, that in however many years from now, you might be wishing someone else had considered these 10 things about you.
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Every wonder how to start a great visit with loved ones?

Here are some wonderful conversation starter questions.


  1. Where did your parents grow up?
  2. What did your parents do for a living?
  3. If you could live anywhere in the world for one year, where would you choose to live?
  4. What was your first job?
  5. What was your first car?
  6. Favorite holiday to celebrate as child?
  7. Who is your favorite actor?
  8. Favorite place to travel?
  9. Business travel places?
  10. Reading a book?
  11. What is it about?
  12. If you could have any animal as a pet, what animal would you choose?
  13. What’s the most useful thing you own?
  14. If you opened a business, what kind of business would it be?
  15. Who had the biggest impact on the person you have become?
  16. What’s your favorite season? Why?
  17. What do you think of homeschooling?
  18. What is the most annoying habit someone can?
  19. How many presidents can you name?
  20. Ask favorite memory with their siblings or children.
  21. Ask what is the greatest invention?
  22. Ask about pictures hanging on their walls.
  23. What was their favorite toy as a child?
  24. Ask about souvenirs they may have in their house.
  25. If you could have dinner with anyone; who would that be?
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Visiting/Communication Tips with those with Memory Loss

Visiting and trying to communicate with someone who has memory loss can at times be so hard. You may only get a head nod, smirk or smile.  However, using these suggestions, you may find your loved one can communicate, be it verbal or non-verbal, but still in their own special way.

  1. Use Eye Contact. When having eye contact; the brain can more easily focus on you and what you are saying so your loved one can focus on your words.  Make sure you are down at their level and not standing over them. Gently holding their hand or touching their arm will also help get their attention focused on you. Always look directly at your loved one when speaking and remind them who you are each time you communicate with them.
  2. Use short phrase sentences; slow and clearly.  Too many phrases; complex ideas are too much for most memory loss loved ones to follow or understand.  Use the five senses when asking questions; smell, hear, sight, touch and taste. Give them an option of either/or questions. Sometimes using questions that require a yes/no is what is needed as well.
  3. Use Non-verbal language.  Always smile; watch their body language to see if you can’t make them more comfortable if they are agitated; shift your body to keep getting them to make eye contact with you. Follow their body language cues. Don’t have the television on or other noise distractions if possible. Photos of their family or personal interests also are great for non-verbal communication. Showing tenderness with a smile will help calm some of their agitation. Sometimes gently rubbing lotion on their hands will help calm them and is a wonderful non-verbal expression of tenderness. 
  4. Affection.  Show your loved one you love them; hug, smile and tell them they are important to you. Reminiscing about their past and telling them they did wonderful things is something we all love to hear. Give them your love and tenderness with a continually smile and gentle touch.  
  5. Patience.   Sometimes your loved one will become agitated or frustrated; if so, try to be a patient as possible. Your loved one will sense your frustration, stresses or agitation. In response they then become more agitated or upset.  Just remember that using your smile, calm voice and gentle touch can usually calm and soothe your loved one. If you need to walk away and take a break; do so, return with a smile, gentle touch and eye contact.

These are all just suggestions that are basic ways to communicate with loved ones with memory loss. If you can use these; you may find that special way your loved one can communicate.  Giving your time, love, and patience is a true gift and hopefully in return you receive the gift of their communication with you. 
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Client moment with care and compassion

Wonderful client of Tracy Visits holding hands during a visit.
 
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A little conversation starter

happy people
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SAYING GOODBYE...

Tracy Visits focuses on the social aspect of their clients. Giving undivided, personalized attention during our time together allows us to get to know about their families, travels, sad times, joyous times, hobbies, jobs, traditions, fears, friends, pets, traditions and so much more. We laugh together, hold hands, sing, read, joke, play cards and hug before and after each visit. It is all these things together that make Tracy Visits so exceptional. The time spent with each client is special and unique. That is why when one of our clients passes away, it is so hard. Tracy Visits sends their sincere condolences to one of our client’s families at this time. Ron was a very special man with a wonderful smile, a great hug, wonderful stories, great jokes, and love for his family. During our sadness we find great peace that we got to know this great man and be a part of his life these past months. 

Love and prayers for peace to Ron’s entire family at this time. 
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