While the root causes of dementia aren’t well-understood, its risk factors are. And there’s good news: According to recent research, around 4 in 10 dementia cases can be prevented or delayed just by addressing those factors.
Even better, some of those risks are manageable through good habits. Simply staying mentally and physically active, spending time outside and connecting with others can all help to boost brain health. Combined with help managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, a healthy lifestyle can go a long way toward preventing or slowing the progression of dementia.
Seniors in Melbourne and the surrounding areas are in luck: There are a huge range of activities nearby that can boost their brain health. With sandy beaches, group exercise classes and delicious food—plus the home of American space travel a short drive away—there are plenty of opportunities to explore, get moving and stay engaged.
How to Maintain Brain Health in Melbourne, FL
No matter their age, we have plenty of ways for seniors in Melbourne to stay active at our local zoos, parks and senior-oriented exercise classes. Here are a few of our favorite ways you can help your loved one to improve their brain health nearby:
Step Outside
You know that staying active is important for physical health, but it’s important for mental health as well. In fact, exercise is so important for the brain that, according to one study, cognitive decline is nearly twice as common among inactive adults as it is among active ones.
On top of that, spending time outside has been shown to have real benefits to brain health as well. One of the best things you can do for your brain is to simply move around outside.
Staying active doesn’t have to be difficult—in fact, it can be fun! The Brevard Zoo is the perfect outdoor spot to take your loved one exploring. Wonder at the exotic animals as you wander the smooth, winding trails among exhibits featuring Lions, Giraffes, and MeerKats . Make sure to hit the Cape to Cairo Express, a safari train that runs through exhibits featuring camels, African cattle, Grevy’s Zebra and the critically endangered eastern bongo.
After exploring the zoo, seniors in Melbourne can enjoy a stroll on the adjoining Brevard Zoo Linear Trail. Completed in 2019, this pavement-and-asphalt walkway is a great place for a leisurely walk.
Learn Something New
Continuing to learn new things as you get older isn’t just a good way to stay off boredom—it’s actually crucial to brain health. Learning new skills and information can actually increase neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to absorb new ideas, adapt to unfamiliar situations and recover from injuries.
Luckily, Melbourne is just a short drive away from one of the most famous science centers in the world: the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. This one-of-a-kind museum gives you a close-up look at every aspect of the American space program from the 1950s through today—and beyond. So close, in fact, that you can go inside a real space capsule, watch a movie in an actual NASA ground control room—and even meet a veteran astronaut.
Cape Canaveral remains an active spaceport to this day, and the Kennedy Space Center gives you a front-row seat. With good planning, you might even get the chance to watch a live rocket launch from the comfort of the Visitor Complex.
Get Moving Together
Exercise can help to address several of the most common risk factors for dementia, like obesity and physical inactivity. With the addition of socialization, group fitness classes are a brain health-building powerhouse. The combination of physical activity and social interaction can boost mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall well-being.
The Eau Gallie Civic Center is a local gem with a variety of fun activities for seniors in Melbourne. Try engaging in a game of Pickleball game offered weekly! This activity targets all various muscle groups to improve core strength, cardiovascular health and cognitive function.
Switch to Healthy Alternatives
One of the most impactful ways to improve brain health is to manage chronic conditions and replace unhealthier habits that can worsen them, like drinking alcohol.
However, reducing or eliminating alcohol doesn’t mean missing out on a celebratory drink, especially not in Melbourne. Many local smoothie shops offer a wide variety of creative concoctions that are just as complex and delicious.
Smoothie Paradise is a locally owned smoothie shop/Food Truck serving Brevard county. Stop by to try one of there refreshing smoothies while enjoying our “Endless Summer” state.
Find a Brain Health Partner for Seniors in Melbourne, FL
There are plenty of ways for seniors to boost their brain health around Melbourne, and with the help of an expert, you can make the most of them. At FirstLight Home Care of Melbourne, we’re proud to offer your loved one the warmth, companionship and award-winning dementia care they deserve. Our compassionate caregivers can also help them stay active by offering transportation and assistance with mobility, so they can stay engaged in the world around them.
When navigating your loved one’s dementia, you’re not alone. Whether you want to learn about your care options or you’re just curious about resources around Melbourne, please reach out.
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