Brain Training For Seniors: Learn How To Keep Your Brain Healthy and Fit

 

Brain training is becoming a popular topic as people try to improve their quality of life and prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.

 

You probably have a lot of questions about it. 

 

You’re wondering….

 

“Why is brain training important for seniors?”

“Can it help prevent dementia?”

“What exactly do I need to do?”

Today we’re discussing the difference between the normal aging process and dementia. We’re also discussing what brain training is and how to get started to keep your brain healthy and fit as you age.

 

Age-Related Cognitive Decline

 

Normal, age-related cognitive decline is not as dramatic as we think. Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s so it’s easy to think getting dementia is part of the normal aging process – but it’s not.¹

Normal, age-related cognitive decline affects:^2,3

• Speed of how you process information
• Speed of how you make a decision
• The temporary storage of information
• Multitasking

 

So what does this look like? 

 

In your day-to-day life, age-related cognitive decline may look like this:³

• Slower thinking
• Easily distracted
• Trouble multitasking
• Difficulty coming up with the right words in conversation

 

Not all of your cognitive skills get worse with age. In fact, your vocabulary, reading, and verbal reasoning skills can stay the same or even improve with age.³

Difference Between Normal Aging and Dementia

 

You might be wondering, what is the difference between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia?

 

Normal cognitive decline is subtle. It mostly affects speed and attention. When you have dementia, the decline happens quickly because dementia is a brain disorder where brain cells are damaged, affecting many different parts of the brain. Symptoms of dementia go beyond just losing memory.⁴

Someone with dementia can experience:³

• Difficulty solving problems
• Trouble expressing thoughts and feelings 
• Falling and tripping over things
• Tremors 
• Behavioral changes 
• Mood and personality changes
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing

 

Alzheimer’s is a severe form of dementia because it progresses quickly and causes irreversible damage. 

 

Dementia and Alzheimer’s doesn’t have to be a part of your aging process. Brain training is a great way for seniors to improve brain health and promote a healthy lifestyle.

 

Why Is Brain Training For Seniors Important? 

 

Brain training is anything you do to improve your brain health and performance. If you’re wondering why you should brain train, the answer is simple: quality of life. Your time on earth is precious and you want to spend it with the people you love and doing what you love. 

 

Maintaining brain health is important to stay mentally fit but is often overlooked. Just like you exercise to maintain good physical health, you can keep your brain healthy too.

 

Like any other part of your body, your brain needs to be used and exercised to stay strong. Brain training helps your brain cells stay active and improves neuroplasticity – your brain’s ability to adapt and change.

 

Brain training can include cognitive training exercises to keep your brain sharp, activities to help with learning and memory, mindfulness practices, and neurofeedback.⁵

Brain training is important for seniors because it can help you:

• Stay sharp in your golden years
• Stay independent for as long as possible 
• Better quality of life, you can enjoy spending time with friends and family
• Keep up with hobbies
• Improve your mental and emotional well being
• Lower your risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s

 

Now you know all the benefits of brain training, you’re probably wondering how you can get started. Getting started with brain training doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start with easy exercises that anyone can do. 

 

What Are The Best Brain Exercises For Seniors? 

 

There are many different brain exercises you can do. Here are the best (and easiest) brain exercises for seniors.

 

Puzzles and games

 

Puzzles keep your brain active. You can do physical puzzles or puzzles like crosswords, Sudoku, and word searches. Games like chess, checkers and Scrabble also help keep your brain sharp. All of these can help with spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

 

Matching and memory games

 

Any matching card games will do here! Any games that test your memory are great too. These games are simple but they can help with memory, concentration, and attention.

 

Creative arts

 

Expressing yourself creatively helps keep your brain active and healthy. These activities include:

• Reading
• Arts and crafts
• Listening to music
• Playing an instrument

 

All of these help improve memory, concentration, attention, hand-eye coordination, and decision-making skills.

 

Physical exercise

 

This doesn’t have to be too strenuous. Physical activity can be:

• Light walking
• Stretching
• Yoga 

Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, increases neuroplasticity, and helps release endorphins –chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy and relaxed. 

 

These are the best brain exercises for seniors because they are so simple pretty much anyone can do them. They keep your brain healthy as you age and they decrease your risk of dementia. 

 

Another tool that seniors can use for brain training is neurofeedback.

 

Brain Training With At-Home Neurofeedback

 

Neurofeedback is a brain training system that helps your brain work at its best, increases neuroplasticity, and promotes an overall healthy lifestyle.

 

Brain training with neurofeedback keeps your brain healthy because it’s like physical fitness for your brain. If you’re new to neurofeedback, NeurOptimal® is a great system to use because it’s easy to use and can be done at home.

 

NeurOptimal® is a computer-aided training system that detects sudden changes in electrical activity and alerts the brain of these changes. It’s the most advanced, professional-grade at-home neurofeedback system on the market. 

 

It’s a non-invasive brain training program that helps seniors stay resilient to the aging process and helps maintain cognitive flexibility.

 

Many seniors say NeurOptimal® helps them stay focused, attend to topics longer, have better sleep hygiene, and improve their quality of life.

 

How Does NeurOptimal® work?

 

With NeurOptimal® you can buy or rent the equipment. When you get a system, you will hook up the sensors to your scalp and ears. These sensors will detect changes in your brain. Don’t worry, this is just for monitoring purposes. Nothing is going into your brain.

 

Setting up the equipment is very easy to do. Once you’re hooked up, you’ll listen to music or watch a movie. When the system detects an irregularity, there will be a brief pause. This brings you back to the present moment, allowing the brain to self-correct. 

 

This is a simple way to optimize your brain to work at its highest potential. Each session is very quick, only 33 minutes long.

 

NeurOptimal®:

• Keeps your brain fit
• Improves mental acuity
• Promotes relaxation and healthy sleep habits
• Helps you become more flexible and resilient 

 

Why Work With Whole Family Neurofeedback?

 

Whole Family Neurofeedback buys and rents at-home neurofeedback equipment. We make sure you’re well supported and we’re here to answer all your questions. 

We make sure your sessions are seamless with:

• Technology that’s easy for anyone to use
• Dedicated customer service, seven days a week
• Videos to help you understand how to properly use the equipment
• Available for questions via text or email
• Cost savings: four packages to choose from (including unlimited sessions)

 

NeurOptimal® makes brain training for seniors fun and easy to do.

Do you want to know how to get started with NeurOptimal®?

  Fill out our contact form today or call us at 303-222-5118

 

Resources

1. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Association. 
2. The Impact of Age on Cognition. Murman, Daniel. 2015.
3. Healthy Aging. USCF. Weill Institute of Neurosciences.
4. Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: What’s The Difference?
5. What Is Brain Training? Your Guide To Getting Started. Whole Family Neurofeedback. 2023.

 

Disclaimer: This site contains information on general health and wellness topics. Please note that Neuroptimal® has been designated a general wellness product by the FDA. The information on this site or in any linked materials should not be construed as medical advice. The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations by your physician.