Reading Benefits for Older Adults and Assisted Living Care in Phoenix

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Regular physical exercise and a healthy diet are integral to good health which reduces the risk of health problems ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Exercising the mind is as important as exercising the body which protects cognitive health. Keeping cholesterol in check, engaging in activities like puzzles and cards and board games, adopting new hobbies or pastimes, participating in discussions with friends- all of these can give your brain a workout. One of the easiest ways to exercise the brain is by reading. Reading offers plenty of health benefits regardless of what you read- a book, magazine, newspapers or anything else.

If you have senior family members suffering from memory or mobility issues, the best way to ensure their good health is by going for assisted living facilities like the reputable Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix, AZ. It is an award-winning Anthem assisted living facility in the region where well-trained caregivers offer round-the-clock care and support to the residents.

Reading benefits for seniors:

As per scientific studies, reading offers several benefits for seniors with the biggest benefit being it helps preserve mental faculties thus enabling people to live longer independently.

Improves Memory– Memory is integral to the short-term recall of everyday events which reading exercises. There is no better mental workout than reading which strengthens the brain’s neural network making the mind more receptive to learning and memory retention. Additionally, reading improves an older adult’s ability to concentrate. It increases attention span which is decreasing these days.

Stress Reduction- Getting absorbed in a good book is one of the best ways to unwind, even better than listening to music, having a cup of coffee or taking a stroll. It’s just a matter of six minutes for the heart rate and muscle tension of the participants to relax once they dive into a book. Adopting reading as a hobby can help in forgetting about troubles for a while which is very important as stress is associated with negative behaviors like smoking, drinking, overeating, etc.

Improves Sleep– Reading is one of the surefire ways to fall asleep, as per researchers. It is far effective than falling asleep watching television or in front of some other electronic device. These are proven to keep people awake longer and even disrupting the rest.

Sharpens Decision-making Skills– See a stark improvement in the analytical and reasoning powers of your loved one with reading which are required to solve problems. This is an ability that declines throughout adulthood.

Onset of Alzheimer’s or Dementia is Delayed- Engaging in brain-challenging activities can prove to be highly beneficial as they build a reserve of neuronal connections making it longer before Alzheimer’s process can destroy enough neurons for symptoms to emerge.

Chance to Socialize- Reading provides an opportunity to connect with and meet new people. Libraries and book stores tend to host book clubs for readers of all ages which gives a chance to socialize and hobnob with others. The good thing is many of them are free to join.

Senior living communities provide opportunities to participate in several life-enrichment activities every day which range from book clubs, art classes to wellness programs and meditation. There’s something new to look forward to every day on the part of senior residents.

Learn more about Anthem Senior Living by taking a tour of our facility. We even encourage participating in activities and programs with the residents when you visit. All of this will help you to make an informed decision.