Independent Living That Supports Brain Health Through Everyday Discovery
Residents at our independent living community in Hermitage, PA, enjoy daily life since we encourage everyday discovery. Whispering Oaks does this through engaging activities and events, vibrant social spaces, and access to learning, fitness, and enrichment opportunities.
DC Health says that changes to your body and brain are normal with age. However, dementia isn't a normal part of aging. If it progresses enough, it can severely decrease your quality of life, so you need to be in the right environment for optimal brain health.
Those who are looking for options in Hermitage, PA, should consider Whispering Oaks. We offer independent living that supports brain health every day.
What Are the 5 Pillars of Brain Health?
The 5 pillars of brain health make up a strong foundation for maintaining brain function and independence as we age. They are:
- Physical activity: Helps improve blood flow to the brain and supports memory and thinking skills
- Mental stimulation: Keeps the brain challenged and engaged
- Healthy nutrition: Foods rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins provide the brain with essential fuel
- Quality sleep: Allows the brain to repair itself and store memories properly
- Social connection: Helps reduce stress, depression, and cognitive decline by keeping the mind emotionally and mentally engaged
What Is the Meaning of Independent Living?
Independent living means having the freedom to live life on your terms while managing your daily activities with little or no assistance. It doesn't necessarily mean doing everything alone though; the point is having control, choice, and self-sufficiency.
For senior living communities, independent living means having your own private living space while joining the activities and using the amenities you want. Medical and personal care aren't provided, but you still receive light assistance, such as housekeeping, linen service, and maintenance.
What Independent Living Looks Like at Whispering Oaks
You now know more about brain health, as well as independent living. When you combine the two, you get excellent lifestyle aging. Here's how Whispering Oaks delivers on excellent retirement years in those regards.
Engaging Activities and Events
We help our residents explore new interests and stay mentally engaged by providing them with a full calendar of activities and events. To challenge cognition and spark curiosity, we have:
- Craft workshops
- Painting classes
- Music groups
- Game nights
- Movie screenings
- Social gatherings
All of these senior living events (whether it's lifelong learning or expression of creativity) help reinforce neural pathways so you can experience better cognitive health. Our stimulating opportunities encourage:
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Memory recall
- Social interaction
Vibrant Social Spaces
Everyday discovery is certainly possible to do on your own, but you'll hit a limit. After all, we're social creatures, so we need to feed that side of us to experience good brain health.
It's easy to add social interaction to your healthy routines here. There are welcoming community spaces, like:
- Lounges
- Game rooms
- Dining areas
- Library
Not only can you have organic conversations in these spaces, but you can also do collaborative games and connect over shared interests. While you're doing these things, you can deepen memory retention and reduce isolation, which can then slow cognitive decline and improve your mental well-being.
Access to Learning, Fitness, and Enrichment Opportunities
We support senior wellness by offering a combination of intellectual and physical enrichment programs.
For cognitive support, our well-stocked library will keep you engaged for hours as you indulge in intellectual exploration. And for physical fitness, you can join exercise programs and fitness classes that are designed to improve:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Overall wellness
There are also educational workshops and wellness sessions that can further expand your knowledge and inspire new ways of thinking.
When you get a good blend of physical activity and mental challenge, this can support sustained brain health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How To Stimulate Your Brain Every Day?
The good news is that to stimulate your brain every day, you don't need to do anything complicated. What's most important is consistency and variety.
You can keep your mind sharp with simple activities, like:
- Reading
- Doing crossword puzzles
- Playing card games
- Learning new hobbies
Social interaction can be extremely helpful too, as is physical exercise. Even small changes like taking a different route on a walk can challenge your brain in healthy ways!
What Damages the Brain the Most?
There are several factors that can cause significant damage to your brain. They include:
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Unmanaged health conditions
- Social isolation
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
All of these things may seem small, and they may only do gradual damage. However, when you add them all up over a long period of time, they can all accelerate brain aging.
Can a 90-Year-Old Live Independently?
Yes, many 90-year-olds can live independently since their physical and mental health are fantastic. Typically, age alone doesn't determine whether or not someone can be independent. What matters more is a person's:
- Mobility
- Memory
- Ability to manage daily tasks
- Overall safety
For example, some seniors in their 90s can still cook, clean, manage medications, and enjoy active social lives. But others may need some level of support.
The key factors to living independently are having:
- A safe home environment
- Access to help when needed
- The ability to handle daily activities (like bathing, dressing, and preparing meals)
In some cases, a move to independent living can be exactly what they need, as they can retain autonomy while receiving light assistance.
Is Independent Living Right for You?
Here at Whispering Oaks, you'll experience much more than independent living. Our calendar, programs, spaces, and amenities are all designed to promote good cognitive health, which we know is important for your golden years.
So chances are, our community is right where you need to be. By making this life transition, you'll set yourself up for success for years to come.
To schedule a tour of our senior living community in Hermitage, PA, get in touch with us today. We allow pets at Whispering Oaks because we believe that our residents should have quality companionship in their later years.