Celebrating Brain Awareness Month: How In-Home Care Promotes Brain Health

This Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we’re taking a closer look at the simple, everyday habits that support a healthy brain and how in-home care helps make them part of your loved one’s daily life.

Key Takeaways 

• Brain health is something we can actively support at any age through simple everyday habits like movement, healthy eating, social connection, and purpose — and there’s a lot within reach. 
• In-home care naturally weaves these brain-healthy habits into your loved one’s daily life, from getting out and about to enjoying stimulating activities and meaningful companionship. 
• Clients who once felt isolated and stuck are now getting out, staying active, and living with a renewed sense of joy and purpose, and these are the conditions a healthy brain needs to flourish.

When Marilou shows up at Suzanne’s mom’s home, her mom lights up. She’d been independent for so many years, and the change to a more dependent lifestyle had been quite an adjustment. Suzanne says, “I worried pretty much nonstop about my mother’s quality of life. Her transition to a dependent lifestyle happened rapidly.” 

Caregiver Marilou turned things around for the family. As Suzanne’s mom’s companion, she’s completely interested in making her life better. Turns out, companionship is good medicine for the brain. 

Experts agree that brain health is enhanced by social interaction, connection, movement, healthy eating habits, and more. And we’ve seen firsthand how in-home care can help make all of these a natural part of your loved one’s everyday life. 

What boosts brain health?

In an earlier post, Ashley Andrews, a nurse supervisor on our team, shared encouraging news. Ashley has in-depth brain awareness and knows firsthand that you can do a lot to support your loved one’s brain health.  

Here are some of her favorites:  

• Eat a healthy diet. Ashley simplifies this suggestion by encouraging a heart healthy diet. “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain,” she says. Mayo Clinic adds the suggestion to eat “plenty of leafy greens and other vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, poultry and fish [and limiting] foods like butter, cheese, red meat and sweets.”
• Spend time with friends and loved ones. Social connection is one of the most powerful things you can do for your brain. 
• Nurture peace of mind. Ashley says practices such as gratitude, faith, and service nurture resilience and peace of mind. Find the practice that gives you peace.
• Invest in supportive relationships. The company we keep matters more than we might realize. Surrounding your loved one with positive, caring people is one of the kindest things you can do for their brain health.
• Find a kind of movement that is fun and sustainable. Ashley says make sure it’s something you enjoy and can be consistent with. Mayo Clinic adds that the goal is to work up a sweat. That’s where the brain benefits truly kick in. 
• Challenge your brain. Games, music, hobbies, and volunteer activities keep your mind curious and engaged. That’s one of the most enjoyable ways to support brain health. 

Ashley sums it all up well. “I believe if you’re open to finding your purpose and finding your joy, that you will thrive in all the ways — endocrine wise, brain wise, heart wise. You will thrive,” she says. “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.”  

How In-Home Care Helps with Brain Awareness and Health

More good news is that brain awareness is a part of the fabric of in-home care, and caregivers weave brain-healthy habits into your loved one’s everyday life. Here’s how it’s making a difference for some of the families we serve:

Staying Active and Engaged
“Golden Harmony provides great care for my mother-in-law, from playing games with her to making her breakfast and taking her to get things she needs,” says Debbie. These activities are what the brain needs to flourish, and Debbie’s mother-in-law is loving every minute of it.  

Getting Connected
For many seniors, connection is the missing piece. Nina was feeling quite alone when she couldn’t drive anymore, and the in-home care team has allowed her to get out and about again. “I have a new perspective and new lease on life because I’m engaged and active in my life again,” she says. Connection and engagement are so good for brain health. 

Finding Joy and Purpose
So is having something to look forward to. “I felt stuck at home and unable to do the things I enjoyed,” P.B. says. “Golden Harmony has given me a whole new lease on life and my days are brighter when I know they’re coming.” Having something to anticipate and enjoy is one of the best gifts you can give your brain.  

If your family could use this kind of support, we’d love to help. Reach out to our team today. Supporting brain health is in our DNA.