Dementia has a wide variety of risk factors such as inactivity and chronic conditions—but there’s good news. According to recent research, nearly 45% of cases can be prevented or delayed simply by addressing those factors.
That’s because healthy habits like regular exercise, mental stimulation and time outside can actually help boost brain health. Combined with help managing blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions, there are many ways to avoid or delay the onset of dementia.
Here’s a little more good news: Seniors in Apex, NC looking to boost their brain health have no shortage of ways to do so.
How to Maintain a Healthy Brain in Apex, NC
There are a wealth of opportunities for seniors in Apex, Cary and Durham to stay active and social. With community events like farmer’s markets, senior-oriented social activities and plenty of ways to explore outdoors, your loved one will never want for things to do.
- Get Outside
Physical activity isn’t just crucial for physical health: It also helps your brain. In fact, according to one study, staying active does the brain so much good that adults who stay active are about half as likely to experience cognitive decline as those who don’t.
That goes double if you do it outside. Another study suggests that any amount of time spent outside in nature has real benefits for brain health, no matter what you’re doing—but those benefits are increased if they’re combined with physical activity.
That means helping your loved one exercise outside is one of the best things you can do for their brain. For an easy walk, try taking seniors in Apex to Swift Creek Greenway, a short paved trail that starts at Symphony Lake and runs through the woods of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. With trees on either side offering shade during the summer, it’s the perfect place for an easy walk on a warm day.
For a longer walk, head over to the American Tobacco Trail. This 22-mile trail runs north-to-south across the Triangle Region of North Carolina. This former railroad was paved over to make a smooth, easy path for walking or biking. It’s a little long for a day hike, so try walking it in short sections with your loved one so they get a chance to see the whole thing.
- Hit the Farmer’s Market
While the exact link between diet and dementia isn’t well-understood yet, blood pressure and diabetes are some of the biggest risk factors—and preventing them may lower the risk of dementia.
Healthy eating starts with good, fresh ingredients, and there’s nowhere better to find them than a local farmer’s market. Every Saturday all year round, local North Carolina businesses sell quality food and goods at the Apex Farmer’s Market. You’ll find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and more, most produced within 150 miles, along with live music. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, take a quick side trip to the Cary Farmer’s Market, which occurs at the same time a few miles to the north.
These farmers’ markets are also great volunteering opportunities. They always need help organizing the event and guiding visitors, and it’s a great way to get some movement in while building connections in the community.
- Find Community Support
Dementia can be isolating for seniors as well as their families. Luckily, the Cary Memory Cafe is there to give people dealing with cognitive impairment a real community.
Hosted by the Five Cary Rotary Clubs, the Memory Cafe gives seniors with dementia a safe place to socialize and build friendships. They host regular dinners with fun programming, live music and dancing. It’s a great way for them to find joy in real connections.
Get Support From an Expert
The Apex area is full of ways for your loved one to manage dementia risk factors and boost brain health, and with help from a professional caregiver, you can make the most of them. A caregiver can help seniors manage risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes, potentially preventing or delaying dementia symptoms. Through companion care, they can also provide transportation and companionship to help seniors get around, engage in activities and connect with the community.
At FirstLight Home Care of Apex, we’re proud to offer the best care available to help keep seniors physically and mentally healthy. We offer specialized dementia care services with professional caregivers trained to support seniors in Apex and surrounding areas.
Navigating your loved one’s dementia isn’t easy, but you’re not alone. Whether you’re looking for memory care services or just advice on what resources are available, please reach out. We’d be proud to help make every day their best day.