Sudoku? Crossword puzzles? Arts and crafts? Are these the only type of activities that help delay dementia and disease? Some research says yes, but opinions differ on the best methods. While brain fitness has been all the rage for years, new studies are leaning towards picking up a yoga class rather than a pencil. Today, experts do not agree on the best way to keep your brain in gear, so it’s best to combine the two.

There are many kinds of brain methods and activities — all with the goal of helping you think more clearly and build your memory skills. Professionals recommend that we engage in at least five minutes of brain exercise each day, however, some experts believe physical exercise can be just as important, if not more important.

This research is “nunsense”
The whole conversation about staying mentally fit took hold when David Snowdon’s research linked lifestyle behaviors with cognition. Snowdon’s study involved examining daily activities of 678 American Roman Catholic nuns, and whether they developed Alzheimer’s disease. Snowdon discovered that the nuns who regularly performed complex tasks like crossword puzzles were much less likely to show signs of cognitive decline compared to those whose brains were less active.

Subsequent research has explored this concept further. Results of a new study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society were impressive. This study followed 3,000 older adults over a 10-year period. The positive effects of one 12-hour training program lasted 10 years after completing the program. Participants in these games also sustained better reasoning and processing speed.

But, not all studies agree. In fact, many have shown that older people benefit from cognitive training programs for only a brief period as they practice and get better at that particular game or activity, and that the learning process does not translate into broader benefits. In other words, the benefits aren’t long-lasting and don’t help with everyday life.

Pump up your brain with physical activity
On the other hand, the latest research is beginning to provide substantial evidence that increased physical exercise goes a long way with keeping the mind in good shape. In fact, walking regularly produces a significant increase in brain mass in older people. Cardiovascular exercise such as swimming, yoga, cycling, and aerobics increases blood flow to your brain and body, delivering additional nourishment, while lowering the risk of cognitive decline.

The Gardens at Ocotillo Senior Living is always adding new initiatives to help our residents stay physically active which, as research shows, helps keep the brain and the body in top shape. At the Gardens at Ocotillo, we make time for stimulating cognitive skill-building activities and physical activity so you don’t have to choose.

Gardens at Ocotillo Senior Living offers the proprietary Path to the Present® Resident-Directed Program. It recognizes your loved one’s abilities and preferences, and supports him or her in doing as much self-care as possible. So, whether he or she has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of memory loss, your loved one can maintain independence and dignity. We offer a variety of social activities to promote health and friendships, and stimulate the mind. There is always an interesting activity going on, including Conductorcise, an engaging lecture series, art classes, brain fitness classes, cultural events, ballroom dancing, musical theater, and so much more.

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