Brain Games for Any Generation
Exercise is often a ‘bad word’.
That is one reason I refer to it as Recess. A chance to improve yourself.
While working in the Retirement Community, I have modified the Recess Guidelines to fit (most of) their lifestyles. There are two main goals.
The first goal is fall prevention. We are maintaining or improving base of support and proprioception.
Yes, there is more that can be done but this philosophy is reaching out to those parents that do not think they NEED to exercise. It is a minimal effort to keep their attention.
The second goal here is memory function. To try new games like counting backward by two's or twirling your middle fingers around each other fires new neurons in a faster pattern each time that game is practiced. This basically means the brain is being stimulated rather than relying on instinct.
With less movement going on right now, sleep is suffering as well. These short games should help burn brain calories, tiring the person out more in the evening. (Example: Just to stay alive, a 65 year old male that weighs 160 pounds at 5 foot 10 inches burns about 1,500 calories per day. That is no activity, just sitting on the couch. 300 of those calories comes from brain function. That is 20% of total calories just from thinking! My point is that the more you use your brain, the more tired you will be at night because of the calories you burned.)
Our Recess Breaks at the Community consist of:
Feet - Improve base of support strength with range of motion games
Hands - Coordination and range of motion challenges for neuro-plasticity
Eyes - Move the ocular muscles in ways not typical
Breath - Expand the intercostal muscles for increased oxygen intake
Other Senses - Tongue movements, smells, feelings (laugh), hear
Focus - Count in patterns or spell simple words backward
Reaction - Clock drill or associate motions with numbers (audio and visual)
Memory Recall - Talk about past memories (short and long)
Problem Solving - Give a goal like touch 3 parts of your leg
Posture - Head, Shoulders, back, hips in alignment
Sometimes it takes 30 seconds and other times we take 30 minutes for these breaks.
The point I am trying to make is each “exercise” is for self improvement.
If you have parents in this age demographic (or you, yourself) always be aware of the environment. Look for level changes and tripping hazards remembering footwear is a big one.
Make sure walking aids are functioning properly (canes are not worn and walkers are not loose).
Finally, possibly the most important piece of advice in this blog: keep hydrated. Getting up to use the restroom is an inconvenience but worth the time because walking is an exercise and staying hydrated prevents many, many health complications.
Please comment with any questions you have. I will be sure to answer all of them! Then, share this information with your parents and grandparents!
YOU can start these exercises now too. It COULD prevent Alzheimer's.
