Strategies to Strengthen Cognitive Skills

Strategies to Strengthen Cognitive Skills

Strategies to Strengthen Cognitive Skills:

As we age, it is natural to experience some changes in our cognitive abilities, such as memory, decision-making, planning and sequencing. However, if these changes start to interfere with daily life, it is important seek support. Research has proven the human brain remains capable of improving itself. This can occur through activities and experiences that stimulate various sections of the brain.1

Below are a list of common strategies and activities that can help maintain and enhance cognitive skills:

1. Stay engaged in meaningful activities.? 

Some examples include:

• Singing

• Painting

Knitting

• Gardening

2. Keep physically active. 2

Some examples include:

• Dancing

• Walking

• Water aerobics

• Yoga

3. Stay connected with social activities (for example: clubs, groups or catch-ups you usually go to).

4. Listen to music (practice trying to recall some song lyrics or melodies to further engage your brain).3

5. Engage in stimulating brain games.4

 Some examples include:

• Wordsearches (helps with memory, attention to detail)
• Naughts and crosses (helps with problem solving)
• Memory cards (helps with memory and recognition)
• • Spot the difference (helps with spatial operations and recognition)
• • Mazes (helps with orientation and problem solving)
• • Scrabble (helps with problem solving and language skills)
• • Chess (helps with problem solving, memory and attention span)
• • Crosswords (helps with memory and problem solving)

6. Continue everyday routines independently as much as possible.5

7. Read (try to read at least twice a week or more to keep your mind active).6

8. Sleep well (aim for 9 hours or more of sleep each night to support brain health).7

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1 Maintaining older brain functionality: A targeted review. https://doi.org/10.1016/i.neubiorev.2015.06.008

2 Activity Engagement and Cognitive Performance Amongst Older Adults. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620867

3 The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01214-9

4 Associations between cognitively stimulating leisure activities, cognitive function and age-related cognitive decline.

https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4155

5 Coping strategies for memory problems in everyday life of people with cognitive impairment and older adults: A systematic review. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5701

6 Reading activity prevents long-term decline in cognitive function in older people: evidence from a 14-year longitudinal study.

https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220000812

7 Long sleep duration is associated with lower cognitive function among middle-age adults - the Doetinchem Cohort Study.

https://doi.org/10.1016/i.sleep.2017.07.029