In old age, one of the more significant worries is the onset of brain diseases like dementia or Alzheimer's. While doctors continually research the diseases and their causes, there are many recommendations to help prevent the onset of the disease and keep a brain healthier for the long term.
As you decide on your living situation in old age, learn how a senior housing complex can help prevent the onset of brain disease and keep your brain active. Senior complexes come with unique living situations and plenty of ways to stay engaged with the community.
1. Senior Groups
Reports from scientists and government agencies like the CDC
have linked loneliness and social isolation to an increased risk for dementia. If you are widowed, single, or live alone, then you can help reduce the isolation at a senior housing complex. Even if you have your own place to sleep and live, the community around you offers a lot of social interaction.
Through the community, you have the opportunity to talk to other seniors on a daily basis. This includes neighbors or people in the complex who go on daily walks. Senior housing complexes may host social groups as well. For example, if the complex has an outdoor garden, then a garden club may meet up to plant flowers, talk, and plan events.
Other groups may include book clubs, game clubs, or knitting groups. If you have a specific interest, then you may have the option to start your own group and make friends with others who have common interests. Socialization will help with your brain activity and give you a lot to look forward to.
2. Senior Outings
Along with social gatherings at your complex, you will have the opportunity to go out into the community as well. Many complexes are built within walking distance of shops, restaurants, or grocery stores. One of the main amenities you could find at a senior housing complex is a weekly transportation service that offers rides to grocery stores or other locations.
You could also have a city bus route that runs past your complex and can connect you to a lot of popular locations. If you walk to specific areas, then you will improve your overall health and your active brain. The outings give you new places to explore and look forward to seeing every week.
If you make friends within your complex, then you could even go on a group outing and enjoy your time out together.
3. Community Centers
Individual apartments in a senior housing center are not your only living space. Many places will have community rooms where you can gather and socialize. Another way to improve your brain health is with puzzles, crosswords, and brain teasers. Community rooms may have puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, and daily newspapers.
Find multiple ways to do puzzles and keep your mind sharp. Research has shown that the puzzles will keep your mind active and sharp, especially later in life. The community rooms may also have a library of books.
Along with puzzles, reading is an ideal way to invigorate the mind and keep up your thinking sharp. Reading can help with your memory skills. You may find a large collection of books available to read. Other residents may bring books in you can swap and exchange. The daily newspaper provides another way to keep your mind sharp.
As you shop around for a senior housing complex that fits your needs, consider all of the extras to help with your brain health. Let us help you find the ideal living situation with our placement services at Robert Cottingham Property Management. We have many different properties to choose from and each one includes one or more of the brain health benefits.
