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There are established ways for maintaining a better, sharper memory at assisted living in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Regardless of age, your brain can adapt and alter itself frequently. Here are 10 tips to improve your memory at Westminster Shores in Saint Petersburg.

Exercise

A year-long study found that people who exercised grew and expanded their brain’s memory region by one to two percent per year.

Nutrition and Diet

The meals you consume and don’t eat have a big impact on your memory. A diet high in good fats and low in sugar is optimal for the brain.

Adequate Sleep 

According to scientists, your body optimizes and consolidates newly acquired knowledge while you sleep and store it as memory. Even a link between sleep deprivation and Alzheimer’s disease has been discovered.

Dozing

A study found that persons sixty-five and older who dozed for an hour in the afternoon performed better on cognitive tests.

Stimulating Games 

Neurons are triggered by events and information and seniors can benefit from stimulating brain games that improve their cognitive health and memory.

Board and Card Games

These games require counting, calculating, thinking, and using your memory muscles, whether it’s a simple game of Uno or Go Fish or a hard game of Chess.

Reading 

One of the simplest methods to engage your brain is to read. It can be entertaining, educational and demands you to connect the dots.

Learn a New Skill 

Whether by taking art or music lessons, memory improvement and a healthy, engaged brain require cognitive engagement.

Dancing 

Dance has a tremendous impact on cognitive health. It’s entertaining, healthy, and social, and it may test your hand-eye coordination as well as your memory by requiring you to recall the steps and moves.

Relaxation 

This is an important aspect of stress management. Learning to de-stress and meditate are two clinically established methods for improving memory. You think more clearly, retain information better, and recall more when you’re calm.

Final Thoughts: Follow the measures mentioned above to keep your brain active, which will result in much-improved memory.

When you are transitioning a loved one into St. Petersburg assisted living, you may have to transition from your loved one’s caregiver to your loved ones advocate. For many people, this can be a tough transition, as they are used to being hands-on in the day-to-day care that their loved one receives. Here are a few tips to help you transition your role in your loved one’s life. 

Be Active in Finding Assisted Living Communities

When you are looking to transition from caregiver to advocate, one of the things that may help your transition is taking an active role in helping your loved one to find the ideal assisted living facility for them. When you actively help to find the facility, you have the ability to view the facility, talk to staff and discuss your loved one’s needs. This can give you peace of mind that your loved one is being properly loved and cared for. 

Find Ways to Stay Informed

Another tip to help you when you are transitioning from caregiver to advocate is to find ways to stay informed and stay in the loop. Finding a St. Petersburg, Florida assisted living facility that allows you to see what your loved one is doing via online chart or notes, or having the ability to talk to staff after your loved one has an important doctor’s appointment can be vital. Being able to keep track of what is going on with your loved one when you are not there daily allows you to stay informed and advocate for your loved one. 

Develop New Hobbies or Focus On Your Passions

Finally, as you transition your loved one from their own home or your home to an assisted living facility in St. Petersburg, Florida, you will want to take the time to develop new hobbies or focus on your passions. Caring for your loved one likely took up a lot of your free time, and you may now find yourself with a lot of time on your hands. Finding something to keep yourself busy with can help prevent you from worrying so much about your loved one, while also allowing you to live your best life. 

If you are looking for assisted living in St. Petersburg, Westminster Suncoast may be the perfect spot for your loved one. Visit our care facility today to learn more about our facility and how we can help to provide your loved ones with the level of care they may need. 

Much like service animals, therapy animals also help their owners by offering a plethora of benefits. While a service animal may help an owner with physical or mental health issues, a therapy animal will visit the patient for a predetermined length of time with the hope of making the patient more emotionally stable. At assisted living in Saint Petersburg, Florida, therapy animals can provide a range of benefits designed to make lives easier for residents.

Pain and Healing

At an advanced age, the body naturally takes longer to heal from conditions and complications. Even in the best living conditions, chronic pain presents an unavoidable obstacle to residents of Saint Petersburg assisted living facilities. Pet therapy is a way to ease the physical discomfort associated with pain. Much of this healing comes from the feeling of affection residents get when holding a pet. The pleasant feeling derived from pet therapy can go a long way toward making senior citizens feel less uncomfortable.

Therapy Animals and Compassion

For senior citizens without family and friends, therapy animals present the opportunity for these residents to experience compassion, affection, and camaraderie. One needs only to imagine the feeling of having a loving pet in their apartment or living space to understand that having a joyful animal in their presence can reduce any sadness that comes from leaving home. Being with therapy animals is an excellent way for older residents to still feel and display sincerity and compassion, regardless of how often they receive visitors.

Older adults can comfort themselves through the fun associated with pet therapy. For adults suffering from homesickness, therapy animals can smooth over the transition into assisted living in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Regardless of what older adults may be going through, they can find peace knowing that a therapy animal is arriving for a visit. In Saint Petersburg assisted living facilities, comfort and joy may only be as far away as the next pet therapy session.

Residents of assisted living in Saint Petersburg, Florida take advantage of the islands with beaches and marinas lying off the peninsula’s coast. The city offers various activities for them and their families. Here are three 3 of our favorite places near Westminster Suncoast in Saint Petersburg.

Arboretum of Gizella Kopsick 

The nursery offers a unique educational experience for residents of assisted living facilities in St. Petersburg, Florida. It provides a serene location to relax and enjoy nature, with 500 palms and cycads representing 150 species worldwide.

It was initially the municipality’s mini-golf course that used to be located in a two-acre park. Mrs. Elva Rouse, a concerned homeowner and park volunteer, requested that the land be used as a nursery. City Council approved the request, and the nursery was established thanks to a substantial donation from Miss Gizella Kopsick, who loved watching palms.

The park was initially planted with 60 palm trees representing ten different types. In a lovely circle looping among the palms, drinking fountains, a gazebo, conversation nooks with wooden benches, and red brick pavers were erected. All amenities were created with disabled people in mind, including Miss Kopsick, who used a wheelchair.

The Salvador Dali Museum

With more than 2,000 works of art, the Salvador Dali Museum exhibits a comprehensive collection of paintings by this Surrealist artist, which is excellent for residents at an assisted living facility in St. Petersburg. 

From his early work in Impressionism and Cubism to subsequent explorations in more “Classical” styles, the displays include all of Dali’s artistic career.

The shows include prints, pictures, sketches, statues, original illustrations, watercolors, and oil portraits. The Museum, which preserves books, periodicals, items from newspapers, and more key papers linked to the prestige of avant-garde, surrealism, and Dali, is also located here.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

This charming park is a wonderful place to visit if you want to get away from it all. Six miles of walking trails and boardwalks explore the park’s diverse habitats, which include swamp forests and a willow marsh.

The park is ideal for residents of independent living in St. Petersburg, Florida, and it is also home to the Birds of Prey Aviary and the Great Florida Birding Trail. Rangers offer guided excursions where turtles and other species are frequently spotted. The park also contains a playground, picnic spaces, shelters, and nature camping and picnic facilities.

Taking one of the tram trips while learning about the area’s flora and animals from an expert is a fantastic way to see the park. A gift shop is also on-site, and the park conducts yearly wildlife activities such as the North American Butterfly Association’s butterfly count.

Playing online games challenge many aspects of the aging brain. This is also an excellent method to have a good time while on video calls. Seniors who play games that require many players are less prone to developing feelings of loneliness. The social feature of these online games helps to alleviate social isolation.

Playing Mahjong

Seniors who play online games like Mahjong improve their brain function and reduce loneliness. Players enhance their ability to plan, remember, and calculate. The ability to think will certainly improve. Seniors’ abilities to recall and locate objects improve as they go in the popular online game Mahjong.

Online Scrabble 

Scrabble is a great game for seniors who enjoy a good word game. Older players must use their reasoning skills to place letters and words together. 

Seniors can compete against people from all across the world. Seniors are forced to conduct mental math to keep track of their results. On sites like Pogo, you may play Scrabble for free.

Virtual Chess 

Chess is another exciting online game that is well-known all over the world. The game can be short or long, easy or difficult, providing seniors with new challenges each time they play. Seniors keep sociable by competing with amateurs or playing with skilled chess champions.

Seniors strategize in chess games and indulge in crucial reasoning and calculation using each side of their brain. Long and short-term memory are both developed. Senior chess players have their brains stimulated in every way. Chess.com is a website where you can play chess online.

Online Jigsaw Puzzles 

Complicated jigsaw puzzles engage the brain and provide an enjoyable way for elders to pass the time. Jigsaw puzzles can be completed online by seniors. Seniors boost their cognitive function by putting together a jigsaw puzzle on their cellphones, tablets, or laptops. 

As a result, memory improvement occurs making it great for memory care in St. Petersburg, Florida. As students put the puzzles together, seniors practice their visible intuition and distinction skills. It exercises each side of the brain.

Virtual Checkers 

You can play checkers, which is a traditional board game, on the internet as well. The game needs little strategic reasoning because the pieces are uniform. Checkers players, on the other hand, must plan and predict their opponent’s next move. Seniors can choose from a variety of difficulty levels. 

Overall, these games should be enough to keep your loved ones happy and make them feel less isolated. Enjoy!

Tired of diets that emphasize rules of eating and outcomes rather than the process? Mindful eating isn’t about carbohydrates, fat, counting calories, or anything else of the sort. This approach to food is more process-oriented and requires being present with each bite. By utilizing all your senses to acknowledge how your body responds without judgment, you gain a better awareness of the positive, nurturing opportunities made possible with food.

When you practice being in the moment, you are much likelier to be in tune with your body’s cues. For example, eating while distracted or for unhealthy reasons can lead to overeating because you may miss the signals from your body that you have eaten too much. An easy way to tell if you normally eat distracted is to try recalling your last meal. If you struggle to remember details such as taste, texture, and aroma, you may be distracted while you eat.

Sit down at a proper table while you eat, turn off any distraction, and most importantly, don’t fixate on your portion sizes or how many calories are in your food. By doing this, you are removing yourself from “mindless” eating and demonstrating more awareness and consciousness about the reasons you eat.

Eating mindfully begins with your first thought about food and ends when the final bite is swallowed. It requires a commitment to change your attitude regarding food and fosters trust in your own decisions. Now that you better understand mindful eating, let’s discuss a few ways to try practicing it at your next mealtime:

• Don’t judge yourself or the food. The first hurdle is typically setting aside past experiences and enjoying the “here and now.” Being aware of judgments is a critical element of mindfulness.
• Demonstrate patience by being present moment by moment. Rather than rushing through a meal to get on to your next chore, take more bites and slow down. This way, the experience of eating is allowed to unfold in a more mindful way.
• Approach this process as if it is your first time eating. When eating, check out your food, give it a taste, smell, or touch. This enables you to eat with a fresh perspective.
• Respect yourself and your experiences with food. No one will have the exact same experience with food so notice and appreciate how you react to different foods.
• Remember that mindful eating does not revolve around number-based outcomes, such as weight loss or calorie counting. There is no measurable outcome and no effort required to make something happen other than simply living in the moment.
• Leave your preconceived notions of diets and healthy eating at the door when stepping into mindful eating. By letting go of what we have attached to, we can experience the here and now of food without judgment.

Bring this fresh outlook on eating with you when indulging in Westminster Suncoast’s exquisite dining! Between resort-style dining and casual grab-and-go fare, there is something delicious to look forward to every day. Our healthful and nutritious selections are guided by the philosophy of our My W Life wellness programs and are sure to keep you looking forward to more – especially after adopting the fresh mindset of mindful eating. For more information pertaining to our amenities and independent living facilities in St. Petersburg, FL, give us a call today!

The advent of spring each year brings on brighter times in lieu of the shorter, darker days of winter, which may be the perfect inspiration for some lifestyle changes to rejuvenate your health! Whether you are living in an assisted or independent living community, we have the perfect tips to take into account for the benefit of your health this spring!

Step into Your Walking Shoes

Whatever wintry chills may have prohibited you from spending time in the lovely outdoors during the winter are thawed out by the coming of spring, and warmer temperatures outside are the perfect excuse to get out and explore the season! Walking is such a simple activity with profound health benefits, which include controlling blood sugar, supporting heart health, and improving sleep, making it one of the best physical activities for older adults. In addition to these health benefits, walking is a great way to connect with nature or with new friends if you join a group.

Lighten Up Your Diet

A myriad of healthy fruits and veggies come into season in the spring, such as lettuce and strawberries, giving you the optimal chance to replace heavy and hearty winter meals with lighter fare, such as salads, soups, and other lightly cooked meals. Updating your diet can cut down your chances of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. We recommend cutting down on red meat and processed foods and replacing them with a higher intake of produce and healthy fats, such as olive oil and avocados. Important reminder: do not undertake a new diet without consulting your physician first!

Dress for the Weather

Between smothering, hot days and those that are breezy and brisk, most weather is possible in the spring. When venturing outside, always dress appropriately for the day! On sunnier days, be sure to wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays. On cooler days, insulate yourself from the cold with a jacket or scarf. Your long-term health will be grateful!

Be Careful of Allergies

Springtime often brings an onslaught of some common allergens, such as grass and pollen. It is more common than ever for weather websites to offer allergy predictions so use caution and check your outdoor conditions before stepping outside, lest you trigger an uncomfortable allergy attack. Not only are these a nuisance, but they can also lead to further complications such as breathing problems and sinus infections. If you struggle with seasonal allergies, consult with a doctor for a good treatment plan to prevent more serious respiratory problems.

Stay Hydrated

Noticing thirst is an ability that decreases with age, so it becomes more important than ever to monitor your own water intake. Dehydration can negatively impact memory and concentration while also increasing fatigue. As a general rule of thumb, try to aim for at least eight cups of water a day and choose herbal teas or vegetables juices over fruit juices and soft drinks.

Enjoy a strong partner for your retirement with maintenance-free living and a full complement of healthcare services at Westminster Suncoast in Saint Petersburg, FL. Our residents enjoy an active lifestyle revolving around a spectacular roster of lifelong learning classes, fine arts, and our exclusive My W Life well-being program. Enjoy both assisted and independent living facilities that can help you make the most of springtime!

Think of your brain as a muscle. Over time, if you don’t exercise your brain, then you may begin to see side effects like memory loss and feeling a general haze. The senior population in St. Petersburg is steadily increasing, and we want to help every older adult learn the many benefits of brain exercise. With these suggestions, it will be easier than ever to keep yourself as sharp as can be! Retirement communities near St. Petersburg provide the necessary attention to their residents to ensure long and happy lives – just read on to discover 4 of our favorite activities to stay brain healthy!

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle significantly lowers the risk of memory loss and other cognitive impairments. Based on individuals above sixty years of age, research has identified a pattern of healthy living for older adults with improved memory. Assisted living facilities in Tallahassee effectively ensure their residents stick to the ideal living pattern to boost their brain health.

Consuming a Well-Balanced Diet

Another approach to boosting brain health and functioning is maintaining a balanced diet. This approach is one of the most common and it is heavily implemented in independent living facilities in Tallahassee, Florida. Specialists recommend a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol, low in fat, and high in antioxidants for maximum effect on the patient’s brain health.

Participating in Regular Physical Exercise

Regular physical exercise also helps in maintaining and improving the brain health of individuals suffering from cognitive impairments. It specifically promotes vascular health by helping to protect the brain tissue, resulting in better brain function. These exercises also help avoid ruts and boredom, which have adverse effects on your current mental condition. Individuals in the care of independent living facilities in Tallahassee, Florida can take advantage of deciding their workout routines.

Ensuring You Get Adequate Sleep

Maintaining adequate sleep is also a practical approach that skilled nursing facilities in Tallahassee recommend. Sleep is core to numerous brain activities, including how neurons communicate and their overall health. Most of the toxins built up in your brain when awake are cleared by sleep, improving its health and functioning.

There are dozens of memory care facilities in Tallahassee that offer quality assistance to those suffering from cognitive impairments. It would be wise to consider selecting the best prospect from the available options if you seek quality care. Most of these institutions offer ideal programs to benefit their residents to their maximum capability by providing the perfect environment.