Stimulate the mind and body together:
- Invite a friend or family member to walk with you; physical activity + conversation combine the social + the cognitive.
- Sign up for workshops where you have to learn something new (technology, language, crafts): the brain “grows” when it is challenged.
- Alternate living rooms with board games, puzzles, group chats: the important thing is to be active in the community.
Avoid isolation from the environment:
- If you live alone, establish daily routines that include contact with others: a morning call, coffee with a neighbor, a short visit.
- It facilitates access to transportation or means to attend activities outside the home.
- Encourage the pet or plant with joint care: having an active responsibility also opens social doors (interacting with other owners, sharing experiences).
Warning signs to watch out for:
- If you notice that the elderly person avoids contact, always says “I don’t feel like it”, says “I don’t go out anymore” or “nobody calls me anymore”: be attentive.
- Mood changes: sadness, apathy, lack of initiative may precede cognitive decline.
- Difficulty following conversations, forgetting appointments or frequent social gatherings: as soon as they appear, act.
The good news is that it’s not too late . The older adult brain still retains plasticity , meaning it can adapt, grow new connections, and improve its cognitive reserve. Changing just one habit—like investing in meaningful social relationships—can make all the difference.
👉 Follow our page, like 👍, and share this post. Every click can make a difference—perhaps saving your own life or that of a loved one.
