Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a type of memory loss and cognitive difficulty that is more severe than the normal symptoms of aging. Not all people with MCI develop dementia, but mild cognitive impairment is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. A 2014 study found that, over a span of about five years, more than one-quarter of people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment developed dementia.
Though there are no guarantees when it comes to brain health, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of dementia at all ages, even if you already have a diagnosis of MCI. A proactive approach today may brighten your future. Here are some activities that can preserve brain health and empower you to remain sharp well into your senior years.
Exercise
Exercise remains one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. It can lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity supports healthy blood flow to the brain and can lower your risk of developing dementia.
Strive for a mix of cardiovascular workouts such as running and walking, and strength training such as lifting weights or body-weight exercises. The former strengthen your heart and brain, while the latter lower your risk of osteoporosis.
Puzzles
Staying cognitively active can help your brain compensate for MCI and master new skills. Puzzles challenge your brain, encouraging creative thinking that can help you better manage any cognitive deficits. There’s no specific type of puzzle that works best. Instead, find something you enjoy — whether it’s brain games on your phone or a jigsaw puzzle in your kitchen.
Socialization
Your relationships don’t just help you feel better. They also help to sustain your brain. Commit to regular interactions with others, whether it’s through video chatting, a regular brunch with friends, or daily conversations with your family.
Video Games
Video games aren’t just for your grandkids. Research shows that they present your brain with new and challenging information that can help prevent dementia.
The key is to find a game you enjoy. So experiment with games on social media, video games your kids and grandkids enjoy, or strategy games on your phone. If you enjoy playing with others, massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) offer a chance to socialize and play at the same time.
Crafts
Crafting — such as making jewelry, assembling scrapbooks, or sculpting — requires your brain to quickly take in and adapt to new information. Solving simple craft problems, such as where to put the knot in a necklace, helps cultivate problem-solving skills that can make it easier to live with MCI while reducing your risk of developing dementia.
Reading
Reading requires your brain to use working memory to continually recall the information you just read. It introduces new words, concepts, and worlds, challenging your brain so that you can continue to flex your cognitive muscles. You don’t have to choose something weighty and difficult. Anything you find engaging and interesting can nurture your brain. Check out our list of great senior reads.
The Right Living Situation
Isolation is poison to your brain and body. It erodes your health, increasing your risk of premature death and a host of chronic diseases. It also makes keeping your mind active more difficult. A senior living community offers daily exercise, loads of activities, and a chance to make new friends. In the right community, you’ll get the support you need, along with the profound reassurance that, should your needs change, you can transition to assisted living or dementia care.
The Arbor Company understands the challenges of mild cognitive impairment. We also know that cognitive challenges do not have to end your independence. To learn more about our unique senior programs, contact us today!