Grandparents are the most lovable and caring of all family members. They the ones who tolerate kids with extra sugar, extra playtime, and extra food.
But as time passes by, they grow old and as we know being old is being prone to illnesses. It will not just be an ordinary illness because sometimes it affects their mental alertness and focus.
“What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies.” – Rudolph Giuliani
With that, here are some ways on how to improve their alertness and focus.
Start a diary
Suggest them to start making a daily diary. You can buy a quality book or binder plus a special pen to start this. Share with your parent that he or she has accomplished much over the years that should be shared and recorded from today’s memory and think.
Suggest, too, that the diary include “things or projects I want to do,” so to define many positive events and projects for the future. When your parent starts sharing about tomorrow, a lot of stress and depression should start to disappear.
Keep them laughing
“One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather.” – Joy Hargrove
Laughter is the best medicine. The act of laughing has been proven to have health benefits. If your parent is isolated a lot, movies and books can provide entertainment. You can bring your little ones to play with them. It is a great joy for them to see their grandchildren around.
The secret here is just some jokes or maybe playful games. A movie marathon will also work. Just make sure you know the movies they love so that you will have them prepared early.
Eat a brain-boosting diet
Just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. You probably already know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy” fats (such as olive oil, nuts, fish) and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, though, it’s not just what you eat—it’s also what you don’t eat. The following nutritional tips will help boost your brainpower and reduce your risk of dementia:
- Get your omega-3s. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for brain health.
- Limit calories and saturated fat. Research shows that diets high in saturated fat (from sources such as red meat, whole milk, butter, cheese, cream, and ice cream) increase your risk of dementia and impair concentration and memory.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables. Produce is packed with antioxidants, substances that protect your brain cells from damage. Colorful fruits and vegetables are particularly good antioxidant “superfood” sources.
- Drink green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals that can damage brain cells. A regular consumption of green tea may enhance memory and mental alertness and slow brain aging.
- Drink wine (or grape juice) in moderation. Keeping your alcohol consumption in check is key since alcohol kills brain cells. But in moderation (around 1 glass a day for women; 2 for men), alcohol may actually improve memory and cognition. Red wine appears to be the best option, as it is rich in resveratrol, a flavonoid that boosts blood flow in the brain and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Red Ginseng Jelly Supplement - This nutrient rich natural jelly supplement is most tasty and fun for the elderly! Take it regularly to help to improve mental alertness.
Games, fun, and solutions
“Sometimes our grandmas and grandpas are like grand-angels.” – Lexie Saige
Introduce games to your parent — games that call for thinking and evaluating before action. Playing cards with others can stimulate brain function while also providing sociable times with family members and friends. Puzzles, including crosswords, picture puzzles, and word puzzles are great brain stimulants.
They key here is to make them preoccupied every now and then. In that way, their brain is functioning for a purpose.
Start walking
“Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric.”– Pam Brown
Physical exercise and movement are vital to the functioning of the older adult brain and its best functioning.
Daily walking, even several times around the block, is something that another family member, even a teenager, can accept as a voluntary assignment. If your parent has current challenges in walking, perhaps 30 minutes each day, then in-home exercises, as simple as standing on one leg for 12 to 20 seconds and shifting to the other leg, may be appropriate and effective.
The exercise produces aerobic benefits to the brain as well as the lungs, heart and general physical condition!