It’s a known fact that cognitive decline begins as we progress beyond middle age. And though each person is unique, the activities and lifestyles we keep are integral to keeping mentally fit as we age.

Some studies have shown that cognitive decline can begin to manifest as early as age 45. And though this isn’t as common as cognitive decline beyond age 65, it stands to affirm that what we do in life affects everything from our ability to bend and stoop to our abilities to reason.

If you have aging relatives, you may have noticed that they might not be as sharp as they once were. And this is a sign of cognitive decline. But brain health can still be nurtured even in our golden years. 

The fact is, there are many things one can do to keep mentally fit. And in the following, we’ll explore a few activities that can help your aging relatives stay on top of their mental health.

Consider Healthy Living

If your aging relative is experiencing issues with cognitive decline, whether this has stemmed from a traumatic brain injury or a form of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, you might want to consider providing them with adequate living care. 

Cognitive decline is nothing to take lightly. And even if one day your aging loved one seems fine, the next day they could be full of confusion. When this occurs, it’s time to come up with healthy living solutions.

Assisted Living

Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities offer patients who need special care a comforting, home-like setting where care can be provided that affords them a means of privacy and independence. Though you’ll want to ensure that the assisted living facility meets your standards and that it isn’t a subpar facility. 

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are typically the last resort for a relative who can no longer care for his or herself on their own. And though this may seem like a difficult choice to make, if your relative’s cognitive decline is significant, he or she could pose a safety risk to themselves or others. 

Nursing homes provide 24/7 care, and this may be the healthiest living situation for your loved one if there are no other alternatives. 

Daily Exercise & Activity 

Being active is one of the best ways to stay mentally fit. And studies have proven that regular daily activity keeps the brain alert and healthy. 

When you reach a certain point in age, you also want to ensure that you’re not overexerting yourself as well. And this is why encouraging your loved one to engage in light to moderate daily activities just as a precaution. 

A few light to moderate daily exercises to consider are as follows: 

• Swimming
• Walking
• Stretching 
• Calisthenics
• Low-impact aerobics 
• Hiking
• Fishing 
• Golf
• Jogging

In addition to moderate exercise, daily activities which engage the mind are also recommended. And many of these activities involve social affairs. 

Activities such as group sports, 5K runs, half-marathons, or any event where others can gather and socialize are highly recommended for keeping mentally fit.  

Encourage Meditation 

Many people here in the west are just now becoming aware of the benefits of daily meditation. And even though this practice has been around for thousands of years, encouraging your loved one to begin meditating is a great way to keep their mind focused and their body at ease.

Numerous studies have shown the relationship between the body and the mind. After all, with just a focused thought, you can worry yourself to the point of a panic attack. And the same holds true for clearing the mind and focusing on relaxing thoughts as this will help to calm the mind and the body.

Meditation has been shown to lower the heart rate, improve focus, concentration, and mental agility, and give one a greater sense of peace in their life. And you only need to meditate for about 15 minutes a day to enjoy these benefits.

If your loved one is skeptical about meditation, you should still encourage them to try it out for a week or two just to see if it works for them. And remind them that if you’ve never attempted to calm the mind, this can take time at first. But with practice, it becomes much easier. 

Taking care of our mental health is a personal responsibility. And even if your loved one has reached retirement age, they can still gain benefits and live a full life by incorporating helpful mental health practices.