Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

When aging, it's not just our physical abilities that take a toll, but also our mental skills. This is because the brain loses some of its ability as it advances in age. That means there'll be a loss of focus, as well as memory. And if your mind remains dormant, the harder it will be hit with memory loss, among other abilities.

Fortunately, there are impressive ways to keep your mind focused and improve its memory capabilities. In this particular case, brain workouts will do. We'll cover fun brain workouts and why they're important.

Dementia refers to a group of diseases that cause memory loss and affect other mental functions. It commonly occurs as people reach around 60 years of age and beyond. But the problem here is that, at this age phase, age-related memory loss also prevails. As a result, forgetting crucial things or daily routine tasks becomes a part of daily living. So, how can you differentiate dementia from age-related memory issues?

The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances are of treating this disease. For early diagnosis, knowledge of early signs and the stages of dementia is essential. In this post, you'll find all you need to know about the stages of dementia and how to reduce the risk of this condition.

Dementia is an umbrella term commonly used to describe memory loss and other cognitive impairments often associated with aging. Dementia is not a specific disease: it is a term used to describe symptoms from several different pathologies. Common kinds of dementia include Alzheimer's, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia caused by diseases such as Parkinson's. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 14% of people over the age of 71 will develop some form of dementia. This incidence climbs as people age: among those who live to 90, more than 37.4% show signs of dementia.

Signs of dementia can be subtle at first. One of the hallmark signs of this condition is short-term memory loss. You may find someone asking the same questions repeatedly or forgetting things that were just explained to or told to them. They may struggle to keep track of possessions like car keys, wallets, purses, and mobile devices. They might forget to go to appointments, fail to plan for meals, or begin roaming outside of their usual routine for no apparent reason.

Dementia also affects a person's ability to communicate. They might struggle with their vocabulary, finding it hard to describe things or repeatedly relying on the same set of words. Instead of using the proper name, they might describe something. For example, a person with dementia might call a coffee maker "the thing that makes that stuff, the good smelling brown one." They may also become withdrawn as the frustration of being unable to communicate well sets in. These problems may worsen as the disease progresses.

Pet therapy has become a popular treatment method for people of all ages for matters related to mental, emotional, and even physical health. It involves interacting with animals for the benefit of helping a person affected by depression, anxiety, dementia, and many other mental or physical health conditions. The type of therapy can vary widely depending on the requirements of the person seeking therapy. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits, the various types of pet therapy, and more.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Research has shown us those pet owners are generally less likely to feel lonely. They visit the doctor less often, take less medication, get over illnesses faster, and cope better with stress. One study even discovered that spending only 10 minutes with a pet can start reducing stress hormone levels.

For people of all ages, pets can give emotional, physical, and mental benefits, specifically for seniors at an increased risk for loneliness and isolation.

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects 15%–20% of adults older than age 65 in the United States, according to a report by the CDC. Depression can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to typical signs of aging, such as fatigue and forgetfulness. In addition, depression often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed because depression may not cause any noticeable changes in mood or behavior. Yet depression has severe consequences for older adults, including increased risk for falls, social withdrawal, cognitive impairment, physical dysfunction, and suicide. Knowing the warning signs of depression can help an older adult receive appropriate treatment before depression leads to further complications.

As a musician and music lover, I've always been captivated by its powerful potential to influence my emotions and even impact my brain activity. When I was younger, I listened to music while studying (a practice I maintain to this day). To this day, certain songs or melodies transport me to that place and connect me to whatever I was doing at the time. While science has determined that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory, sound—in this case, music—has a strong correlation to memory as well.

Music does something special to people. Different frequencies are known to produce very specific effects on people of all ages. Over years of study on the effects of sound and music, a therapeutic method called Music Therapy was developed. As a result, many people suffering from various mental disorders and disabilities have engaged in music therapy to great effect.

Is there something that you should be doing right now, but you are not? We are almost sure there is. Everyone puts things off now and again. But doing this too often and to a degree where it can have severe repercussions on your daily life should be a cause of worry. Procrastinating regularly and seeking diversions is a sign of a person's lack of self-control.

Procrastination is also a lot like lying to oneself. You tell yourself that you will do it eventually, or you convince yourself that there is still time and there are better and more important things to do. But quite often, procrastinators know deep down that they should be getting to their tasks.

However, saying "Just Do It" does not help. This is not unusual; procrastination has its roots in the habits we develop over time. For example, you might have developed a habit of cramming things at the last minute. You might have even noticed (or convinced yourself) that you perform best with a bit of time pressure. In this way, procrastination might just be the way you manage your tasks. However, it can have serious effects on your daily life if you are not mindful of the downward spiral you might be taking. Procrastination can take you to a point where you are paralyzed by your thoughts, and the only option for you would be to abandon any important task altogether. This will have adverse effects on your personal, social, and professional life.

This article will discuss a few tips to help you combat procrastination and perform at your most optimum level.

Do you believe in your own capacity to meet life’s challenges? These challenges do not have to be big. It could be as simple as walking up to someone to ask a question, or it could be as difficult as asking for money from someone.

Confidence is the belief in one’s own capacity to meet life’s difficulties and succeed. On top of that, confidence is also the determination to act on that belief. Being confident means being self-assured. It means being at ease with one’s own abilities. A confident person is not someone who believes that they are capable of super deeds; confidence is humbler than that.

At work, in your personal life, or in other social situations, a lack of confidence can inhibit people from taking chances and embracing possibilities. However, too much self-confidence might come across as arrogance or narcissism. Overestimating one’s talents can lead to issues such as not finishing jobs on time or social embarrassment. Self-confidence is not about being superior to others. It means that you are self-aware about your capacity and that you have a realistic assessment of your skills and a sense of security in that assessment.

Let’s begin this post with an exercise: Name three things that you avoid doing. It could be going to parties, meeting new people, paying your electricity bills, or climbing the stairs. Chances are that you have gotten good at avoiding these activities.

We like to organize our life around things that make us feel comfortable rather than uncomfortable. Comfortable places are also important. They keep us safe and stress-free. But they may also be devoid of possibilities. So while there is nothing wrong with being comfortable, you need to be mindful if your comfortable places are, in fact, your hiding places!

Ask yourself, is your comfort place your hiding place? Only outside your comfort zone can life surprise you. This post will discuss a few tips that will help you step out of your comfort zone safely.

9 Tips to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Music has long been recognized for its ability to provide emotional and psychological benefits, but did you know that it can also have a positive impact on the aging brain? In this blog post, we will explore the various ways in which listening to music can improve cognitive function, boost memory, and enhance overall well-being for older adults. From studies on music therapy to the effects of different types of music, we will delve into the science behind how music can help keep the aging brain sharp and active. So whether you're a music lover or just looking for ways to keep your mind healthy as you age, read on to learn more about the benefits of listening to music for the aging brain.