Provincial Bethel Park Encourages Brain Wellness Through Joyful Exploration

Seniors in communities like Provincial Bethel Park, need to make time for mental health routines after they retire because healthy aging includes looking out for mental health. In Bethel Park, PA, meaningful social contact and lifelong learning help prevent isolation and poor cognition while restoring purpose, curiosity, and joy.

As the CDC states, healthy aging includes both mental and physical health. They emphasize that it's a mistake to see mental illness in the elderly, such as depression, as being "just normal aging".

The reality is that depression isn't a standard part of growing older. This, and other mental issues, are treatable with the right brain engagement and senior activities.

Healthy Aging Means Meaningful Contact

According to Jodi L. Southerland et al., seniors who choose to remain in their home rather than join a senior community can start to feel lonely and isolated. Without social connections, the opportunities for senior curiosity are limited, particularly for those experiencing bereavement.

Such seniors might get stuck in the same old loop of watching daytime TV reruns or mindlessly scrolling through social media. Such behavior is harmful to brain health because this kind of passive screen time leads to worse cognitive outcomes.

For example, according to a study of older adults by Daisy Fancourt and Andrew Steptoe, such a sedentary lifestyle was associated with a decline in verbal memory.

More importantly, when living such an isolated, repetitive lifestyle, seniors miss out on the joys of creative aging in a vibrant community.

Creating Sources of Meaningful Contact

Many older adults struggle with loneliness. During adult life, work routines mean most get meaningful social contact during the work week. But, post-retirement, seniors need to take more of an active effort to meet people.

Here are some meaningful ways seniors can socialize with their peers:

• Weekly games meetings: Attend the same weekly card or board game group to support mental clarity and social connection.
• Take a volunteer role: Find a meaningful volunteering role offering dependable, purposeful social contact.
• Intergenerational connection: Consider joining tutoring programs to build meaningful relationships and pass on precious wisdom to the next generation.
• Shared meals and potlucks: Attend community potlucks; after all, eating together is one of the fastest ways to bond.

Such social contact is about more than passing the time. By creating predictable social routines, it's easier for seniors to show up every week, even when energy levels are low. For seniors who lack social contact after leaving the workforce, these social events are the perfect way to build a new social circle.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

It's never too late to learn a new skill or expand your knowledge. Learning something new doesn't just provide challenges; it also promotes brain wellness. Rather than passively sitting, watching TV, or scrolling through social media, seniors could try learning a new language, figuring out how to play a musical instrument, or diving into a strategy game like chess.

While learning isn't exclusively for young people, don't expect to pick things up as quickly as you did in your youth. Accomplishing something like learning to play the guitar takes commitment and dedication, especially for those who try to learn post-retirement. It's important not to expect perfection but to embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey.

Staff at senior living communities can help residents find appropriate new hobbies to challenge them and keep their brains sharp. The pride and accomplishment that come from weeks of hard work paying off bring joy, particularly for seniors who feel their life lacks purpose in retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Exercise Encourage Brain Wellness?

While improved mobility is a well-known benefit, many seniors may not realize that regular exercise also acts as a powerful "reset switch" for mental wellness by impacting the brain in several key ways:

• Boosts "feel-good" chemicals: Physical activity increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in the brain.
• Regulates mood and stress: Exercise helps elevate mood while simultaneously reducing the amount of stress chemicals in the body, like cortisol.
• Supports brain health: Regular movement fosters neuroplasticity, which boosts memory capacity and improves cognitive function.
• Enhances learning retention: A good workout boosts neurotransmitters in the brain, which makes it easier to learn new skills and remember them later.

Exercise supports far more than just strength and balance; it boosts mood and slows the rate of cognitive decline. Seniors struggling to learn new skills will likely get better results if they incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

Why Is Sleep Critical for Brain Wellness?

It's hard to attend social meetings and learn new skills if you're tired and sleep-deprived. Seniors who've never experienced sleep problems can start struggling with poor or disrupted sleep, preventing them from entering the deep sleep essential for cognitive preservation.

The brain transfers information from short-term memory into long-term storage, essentially saving what you learn during the day to your body's hard drive.

However, sleep isn't just about keeping your memory sharp. Seniors may also struggle with emotional regulation issues. Sometimes these symptoms indicate dementia, but that's not always the case; sometimes it's just a lack of deep sleep.

Seniors experiencing chronic sleep disruption are missing out on the vital neuroprotective effects of rest and should consider consulting with a specialist. A good sleep schedule is often the difference between feeling foggy and sluggish or sharp and engaged throughout the day.

Discover Provincial Bethel Park

As you can see, it's essential to keep up with brain wellness, and this is much easier and fun when you participate in joyful exploration. Whether it's learning a musical instrument, learning to speak a new language, or attending social meetings, you're sure to find something you like.

However, it's easier to be consistent when you're part of a group. In communities like Provincial Bethel Park, the whole community comes together to help every resident thrive.

We are thrilled to welcome you to our recently renovated community! With a contemporary, stylish ambiance, comfortable seating, and updated interior designs.

We'd love for you to see our community for yourself. Contact us today to schedule a tour.