Keeping the ageing brain sharp is challenging for seniors since cognitive decline starts at midlife and most often occurs during higher ages most specifically at 70. Also, the cerebrum which is an important part that we are using in learning, reasoning and high-ordered memory-related functions is shrinking in volume as we age.
Cognitive skills
Exercising the brain using different mind games and activities helps it to keep sharp since the brain is working, functioning and thinking as hard as it can. Any activities that keep the mind working engage the following cognitive skills:
- Long-term Memory. Recalling information from the past such as names, events, and important moments.
- Working Memory. Keeping an eye on the at-the-moment information such as following the multi-directions clearly, keeping in mind all the recent conversations and continuously performing tasks by just reading the directions once.
- Auditory Processing. A skill which analyses any sound-related information such as fluent and comprehensive reading.
- Visual Processing. A skill which allows you to think by visualisation such as reading maps, silently reading, following directions, and easily solving word math problems.
- Logic and Reasoning. Skills in forming ideas, solving problems and making good reasons. With these skills, you know what exactly to do next, you are good at planning and you easily solve math problems.
- Processing Speed. Allows you to perform quality tasks in a short period of time which makes you the first one to finish a task in a group manner, you see difficult tasks as a challenge and you submit all tasks on or before the deadline.
- Attention. This skill comes in three different sections:
- Sustained Attention. Allows you to focus on a task within a sustainable period of time
- Selective Attention. Focussing on a task even if there are any distractions.
- Divided Attention. A skill which allows you to multitask.
The role of these cognitive skills is to discover new information. That’s why you make sure that these skills are strong and properly balanced. So to make it all sharp, you must do brain activities more often with the means of different mental exercises.
Mind activities to keep your brain sharp
- Crossword Puzzle. This activity helps you to still identify words with a specific number of letters that are coordinated from the given description. According to a study in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, completing a crossword puzzle can delay the preclinical stage of dementia due to its effect on enhancing cognitive skills. Also, crossword puzzles’ difficulty changes at different levels. First, you’re just solving 4-letter words until they become more than 6-letter words which give challenges to the brain.
- Jigsaw Puzzle. This puzzle helps to improve cognitive skills under visual-spatial working memory. Trying to coordinate puzzle pieces to form a whole picture. Also, jigsaw puzzles can help you practice concentration and can relieve your stress once you finish the given figure. You can try solving the puzzle with a team to make it more cooperative.
- Chess. Playing chess can actually improve a person’s memory and verbal skills due to its rule that a player must remember all the moves and needs memory recall to prevent mistakes and to easily associate the opponent’s playing style. Additionally, playing chess will help you control brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s since it provides enough workout that makes the brain function properly.
- Sudoku. This activity is a challenging cognitive past-time because it requires attention to fill all the grids with numbers through analysis. Many seniors thought that sudoku is more on math but in reality, it requires no math but more on logic. Seniors who love solving sudoku will absolutely have a strong memory when it comes to data and numbers. Furthermore, activities like sudoku are a good instrument for neurorehabilitation and cognitive remediation therapy for the neuropsychiatric disorder.
- Learning new dance moves. One of the best cognitive challenges is learning new complex dance moves. So as a senior, you have to open your TikTok and check out new dance trends. Kidding aside, dancing can exercise the brain because it gives a strong memory by remembering different sequences of body movements that are well coordinated with a tempo.
- Start a knitting project. Knitting can help you practice schematic memory which provides more skills to understand and remember sequences of actions. Once you finish a project you probably gain and showcase a new skill.
- Brain games on the internet. Exploring the internet will help you discover new and free brain games such as BrainHQ, Cognifit, Luminosity and many more. These games will definitely challenge your memory, concentration and attention skills. Using words, speed, numbers, problem-solving and shapes within a given time limit, you will surely exercise your brain. These games change their level of difficulty every time you reach a goal that’s why it becomes more interesting.
A sharper brain with the ASAG Reverse Mortgage
Do you need more mind exercises that will improve your brain’s capability? The ASAG Reverse Mortgage got you covered!
Remember that the brain will never reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of disorder coordinated with dementia, but you can do some mind exercises or any medical solutions to slow down the progression of these diseases.
If you often experience memory loss and any other symptoms of dementia, and you don’t have an existing budget to cover it, you can use the equity in your home through the ASAG Reverse Mortgage to fund it without worrying about regular repayments. The loan can be paid off when you permanently leave your home, either you downsize, move to aged care or pass away.
The friendly ASAG team is excited to assist you with further details about how our reverse mortgage works with your Day-to-Day Expenses. Just freely contact us on 1300 002 724 and at info@asagfirst.com.au.
If you’re curious now about your available equity and your brain can’t handle it, you can use our tool below.