Did you know that some cases of dementia may be avoidable? According to recent research, nearly 45% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed. And it’s far simpler than you might expect.
Just by keeping everyday healthy habits like staying mentally active, getting regular exercise and taking time outside, seniors in Licking County can improve their brain health. Chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are also significant risk factors for dementia—and getting help managing them can go a long way toward preventing or slowing it.
And seniors in Licking County looking for activities that boost brain health have no shortage of options. From walking trails and group exercise classes to continuing education programs and social events, the greater Newark area has a wealth of ways for seniors to stay healthy, have fun—and reduce their dementia risk along the way.
How Seniors in Licking County Maintain a Healthy Brain
Licking County and Greater Newark are full of fun, healthy senior-friendly activities. If you know what to look for, it’s a breeze to help them to eat right, stay active and maintain an active social life. And every one of them can help prevent or slow dementia.
Here are a few of our favorite senior-friendly activities and spots around Licking County:
- Learn Something Every Day
Learning doesn’t just keep your mind sharp and stave off boredom. Taking in new information, building skills and exploring the world can actually increase neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to recover from injuries and adjust to new situations.
And in Licking County, learning doesn’t end when retirement begins – quite the opposite. The Empowered Minds Program at the Licking County Library in Downtown Newark offers seniors the opportunity to connect with each other over their shared curiosity. With a broad range of classes on topics like The Meaning of Title IX, the Art of Japan and Food Democracy, it’s a great way for your loved one to broaden their horizons. They even host a practical writing workshop and a regular book club!
Looking for more senior-friendly learning opportunities? Take your loved one across town to the Lifelong Learning Institute at Central Ohio Technical College, which makes college-level classes accessible to seniors.
- Spend Time Outdoors
Regular physical activity is incredibly important for brain health. In fact, one study found that seniors who keep moving are nearly 50% less likely to experience cognitive decline than those who don’t. Another study notes that spending time outside may also reduce the risk of dementia. And the best part is that those benefits work together.
That means that one of the best things your loved one can do to improve their brain health is to simply get moving outside. And there’s nowhere better to do it than Licking County’s T.J. Evans Trail. This smooth, paved trail winds through farms, forests and fields, but stays mostly under the trees, so it’s well-shaded during the summer. Formerly a railroad line, it has a smooth, even grade that makes it easy going for seniors.
Next time you’re up for a walk, head over to the T.J. Evans Trail for a gentle stroll with your loved one!
- Stay Social
Not only is it a great way to have fun and maintain relationships, keeping a healthy social life is particularly important for seniors. Connecting with others may help stave off dementia – and more than that, the act of socializing itself is a mental workout that helps you maintain your faculties.
And in Licking County, there are a number of places to socialize that are accessible for seniors. Earthworks Cafe at Newark Station isn’t just a coffeehouse and restaurant: It’s also a music venue. Most Saturday nights, it hosts local musicians, so you and your loved one can catch a show as you enjoy a delicious meal. They also have an open mic on Wednesdays, trivia on Thursdays and bingo on Sundays. And it gets even better during the summer, when Earthworks opens up its porch and yard. It’s the perfect spot to relax with friends and family and watch the sunset.
Find a Brain Health Partner
There are many opportunities and options for seniors in Licking County and the Greater Newark area to boost their brain health by staying active and engaged. And a professional caregiver can make it easier to help your loved one make the most of the vibrant community around them.
FirstLight Home Care of Licking and Fairfield Counties is proud to provide Ohio’s seniors with assistance with some of the major risk factors for dementia. Our skilled caregivers can help seniors with day-to-day management of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, so they can stay active with confidence.
Whether you need help getting your loved one the care they need or you’re just looking for resources, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be honored to help them however they need.