When considering a nursing home for yourself or a loved one, your first thoughts might be about the physical aspects of senior care (medication, physical therapy, help with toileting, eating, or dressing, etc.).
But there’s another element of the care home experience that can’t be overlooked: is it a supportive, enriching environment for cognitive health?
As we get older, it’s perfectly normal for cognitive function to diminish. This can result in issues with memory, reasoning, attention span, and emotional well-being. Staying mentally active can help slow or reverse cognitive decline and improve quality of life.
Supporting brain health is a positive (and often enjoyable) part of senior care, and in this short blog post, we explain how we approach it on a daily basis.
Fulford’s approach to daily cognitive wellbeing
Here at Fulford, we’re passionate about providing a high standard of person-centred care to each of our residents every single day.
With this in mind, our philosophy when it comes to cognitive care is to promote dignity, independence, and engagement by tailoring activities to each individual’s abilities, interests, and preferences.
We’ve also placed a significant emphasis on creating a calm, welcoming environment that encourages participation. Let’s take a look at some of the activities we provide to support brain health and mental well-being.
4 engaging activities that support brain health
1. Social activities
Studies have shown that a higher level of social engagement in old age is associated with better cognitive function.
Fulford residents have the opportunity to socialise with one another every day by sitting together in the common room and at meal times. We also regularly host group discussions, afternoon teas, and reminiscence sessions, and encourage external visitors to the home to spend time with residents.
2. Creative and sensory activities
Regular engagement in creative pursuits such as painting, music, or crafts is associated with better cognitive performance over time, particularly in working memory.
It has also been shown that multisensory stimulation (touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste) can improve overall cognitive function in older adults with dementia while also reducing symptoms such as agitation, apathy, and depression.
We provide residents with a variety of activities each week, including arts and crafts, music therapy, gardening, and other hands-on sensory experiences.
3. Physical activity
The importance of even gentle exercise as we get older cannot be overstated. Regular physical activity has been linked with a lower risk of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.
We understand the strong link between physical activity and brain health, so we encourage our residents to exercise, stretch, walk, move to music, and spend time gardening, depending on their mobility.
4. Puzzles and games
Regularly doing word and number puzzles, such as crosswords and Sudoku, has been linked to sharper thinking in older adults. A UK study of over 19,000 adults found that those who did puzzles more often had better cognitive function.
Fulford residents are regularly encouraged to try crossword puzzles, brain teasers, and board games to enhance memory and positive social interaction.
Read more: Therapeutic activities for seniors in care homes: Supporting wellbeing through engagement.
The role of nutrition, routine, and environment
Beyond the activities described above, three additional elements of care help promote brain health in a nursing home setting. These are diet/nutrition, routine, and environment:
- Brain-healthy meals prepared with care can have a positive impact on cognitive function. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, fish, and olive oil are consistently linked to better cognitive performance in older adults. Learn more about our approach to food and mealtimes here.
- A strong daily routine can make all the difference for cognitive health. A stable sleep habit, adequate hydration, and a structured day of activities can help the brain operate efficiently and preserve memory and thinking skills.
- Finally, a peaceful space (like the one we’ve created here at Fulford) can help reduce stress and support clarity.
In summary
Our staff work hard to support cognitive health throughout every part of daily life in the nursing home. From the engaging activities we offer to the nutritious foods and healthy routines we provide each day, our residents will always have the opportunity to challenge their minds and keep them sharp.
If you’d like to learn more about the activities we offer here at Fulford, contact us on 01904 654 269 to chat with one of our friendly staff members.