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Tips and Activities for a

Healthy Mind

Stay mentally sharp while having fun!

1-732-930-1935 HCAJerseyShore.com

Our mission at Home Care Assistance is to

change the way the world ages. We provide

older adults with quality care that enables

them to live happier, healthier lives at home.

Our services are distinguished by the caliber

of our caregivers, the responsiveness of our

staff and our expertise in Live-In care. We

embrace a positive, balanced approach to

aging centered on the evolving needs of

older adults.

About Home Care Assistance

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Five Ways to Promote Cognitive Vitality

Stimulate your mindCognitive exercise strengthens communication pathways. Challenge your brain with activities like Sudoku orchess, pursue a hobby, or learn a new skill.

Exercise your bodyPhysical activity stimulates the circulatorysystem, which sends oxygen and nutrientsto the brain, and removes toxins.

Eat rightBrain superfoods like fish, nuts, darkchocolate, blueberries and olive oil arelow in fat and cholesterol, help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes,and promote blood flow to the brain.

De-stressIf left unchecked, chronic stress can overtax the body and the brain, interferingwith learning and memory. Promote calmthrough activities like yoga, meditation or prayer.

Maintain social tiesRich, meaningful relationships help sharpencognitive abilities. Stay connected withfriends and family or consider joining acommunity group or club.

Brain health is in your control!

Adopting certain behaviors can help maintain andeven improve brain function while reducing the risk ofcognitive decline over the lifespan. A brain-healthylifestyle not only boosts cognitive functioning butalso overall health and quality of life.

At Home Care Assistance, we embrace a holisticapproach to brain health and developed the CognitiveTherapeutics Method™ to help our clients flourishphysically and mentally.

The tips and activities in this booklet are designed tohelp you exercise your cognitive abilities and learnhow to make choices that will promote brain healthin a fun and engaging way. Enjoy!

You can influence your long-term brain health!

Stimulate your mind!

CROSSWORD PUZZLES

Crossword puzzles are a classic cognitive exercise,challenging the language and memory centers ofthe brain simultaneously.

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Down:1. A baby horse2. A baby dog3. An animal that makes milk6. A baby sheep 7. Animals that chase mice8. A kind of evergreen tree9. Word that rhymes with go11. An animal with horns12. Another word for pig13. What we see with

Across:1. This animal purrs4. Evil spirit8. Jump on one foot11. A grain - singular13. Form15. She laid the golden egg16. South America - abbreviation17. Young sheep20. Makes dogs scratch22. Young dog23. Opposite of yes25. One penny27. What you chew withDown:2. Exclamation of surprise

3. You can spin this one5. Noise made by a cow6. Go by7. Like9. Used when you write with ink10. In the past12. Something to drink14. Opposite of she17. Brought by a four-leaf clover18. Big monkey19. A little piece20. To be of the right size21. Insect24. Exclamation26. Orange juice - abbreviation28. Boy’s nickname

LUCKY CLOVER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FARM CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across:1. Yield of a planted field4. A kind of tree, like oak5. This machine digs up fields8. A place where animals and

crops are raised9. Opposite of stand10. Sack to carry feed in12. An animal to ride on14. A long-necked bird which honks

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Stimulate your mind!

WORD SEARCH

Word search games help strengthen the language centerof your brain. See how many words you can find!

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OUTDOOR GAMESFind and circle all of the games that are hidden in the grid.

The words may be hidden in any direction.

COMEDY MOVIESFind and circle all of the comedy movies that are hidden in the grid.

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Stimulate your mind!SUDOKU

Sudoku is a challenging yet fun way to engage your mind with numbers!

Directions: Sudoku puzzles consist of 81 squares divided intonine 3x3 blocks. Some of the squares already have numbers in them. To solve a Sudoku puzzle, use numbers 1-9 to fill in theblank spaces so that each row, each column and each 3x3 squarehas numbers 1-9. Good luck!

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Stimulate your mind!ANSWER GUIDE

Answers to “Farm” Crossword Puzzle:

Across:1. crop 4. elm 5. plow 8. farm 9. sit 10. bag 12. horse 14. goose

Down:1. colt 2. pup 3. cow 6. lamb 7. cats 8. fir 9. so 11. goat12. hog 13. eye

Answers to “Four Leaf Clover” Crossword Puzzle:

Across:1. cat 4. imp 8. hop 11. oat 13. shape 15. goose 16. sa 17. lamb20. flea 22. pup 23. no 25. cent 27. tooth

Down:2. aha 3. top 5. moo 6. pass 7. as 9. pen 10. ago 12. tea 14. he17. luck 18. ape 19. bit 20. fit 21. ant 24. oh 26. na 28. oj

Answers to “Outdoor Games” Word Search:

Answers to “Comedy Movies”Word Search:

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Answers to Sudoku Puzzles:

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Exercise your body to stay fit and de-stress!

The following low-impact exercises are great ways to get your heart rate up and your body moving, and promote calm.

DEEP BREATHINGPrepare the mind and body for exercise by placinghands on stomach and taking a deep breath. Fillyour diaphragm; feel your hands move out as youinhale and back in as you exhale.

GOOD MORNING STRETCH Stretch your arms wide. Take a deep breath andexhale, adding a gentle turn to the left and to theright as you continue stretching. Move slowly andbreathe deeply.

SHOULDER ROLLS Roll your shoulders forward, making small circles,for a count of 5. Roll your shoulders backward,making small circles, for a count of 5.

SEATED LEG EXTENSIONSSitting in a chair, slowly straighten the left leg andreturn it to the floor. Repeat with the right leg. Alternate and repeat 5-10 times.

ARM CHAIR PUSH-UPS Put hands on the arms of a chair and push bodyup and out of the chair, enough to straightenarms; lower your body back into the chair. Repeat5-10 times.

Berries: The antioxidants in berries, especially blueberries,help protect the brain from oxidative stress, a naturalconsequence of aging associated with cognitive decline.

Salmon: Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are key to brain functioning. Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Spinach: Spinach is loaded with lutein, folate and beta-carotene, all of which have been linked with a decreased risk of neurocognitive decline.

Nuts and Seeds: Both contain vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant and is associated with better brainfunctioning.

Whole Grains: Whole grains improve blood flow, whichsupports cognitive health. Wheat germ also includesbrain healthy fiber, vitamin E and omega-3s.

Eat right!

The choices we make aboutwhat we eat directly impactour cognitive health. Researchshows that you can increaseyour chances of maintainingcognitive vitality well into oldage by simply adding brain-healthy foods into your diet. We recommend the following:

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De-stress through meditation! Maintain social ties!

Stress signals the body to release hormones that candamage brain cells. Since stress is often a natural component of everyday life, it is important to incorporatedaily moments where you relax, look inward and calmdown. We highly recommend the practice of meditationbecause it reduces stress and promotes inner calm byturning focus to the present moment.

Take a moment to mediate by following the below steps:

1. Choose a quiet and calming environment, and wear comfortable clothing.

2. Sit in a position that you can hold for a sustained period of time.

3. Close your eyes and ground yourself. Notice how your body feels against the Earth below.

4. Focus on your breath. Pay attention to how all parts of your body feel when you inhale and exhale.

5. Choose a mantra, which can be a sound, word, or phrase, and repeat over and over out loud or in your mind until you can feel yourself sinking into a deep meditative state.

Studies show that adults who engage in regular socialactivities and maintain close relationships with friendsand family actually maintain cognitive vitality longerthan those who isolate themselves. As one grows older,lack of mobility and other issues related to aging can makeit harder to maintain strong social ties. Don’t let this stopyou! Consider hiring a caregiver or have a loved one driveyou to and from social gatherings, and accompany you toevents. Try the following ways to maintain and create newsocial ties:

• Attend social events at a local senior center• Write letters to friends and family• Invite a friend to go to a museum or the movies• Read your favorite book out loud with a loved one• Invite a younger family member to look at old pictures and share stories

• Volunteer at a local community center or place of worship• Play card games such as bridge or dominos with friends • Join a neighborhood walking group

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Cognitive Therapeutics, Your Caregiver and You

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Home Care Assistance services are designed to promotehealthy mind, body and spirit for our clients. As a result,our caregivers try to incorporate the positive lifestylebehaviors contained in this booklet in their client care,encouraging and facilitating healthy diet, exercise,mental stimulation, socialization and calm.

Building on our expertise in brain health, Home CareAssistance pioneered the Cognitive TherapeuticsMethod, an activity-based cognitive stimulation program to help older adults stay independent andmentally sharp. Developed by an interdisciplinary team of professionals led by a neuropsychologist, this program is designed to increase mental acuity throughindividualized, non-pharmacological activities deliveredone-on-one in the home. Our research team based the activities central to the program on cutting-edge

research that points to cognitive stimulation as a wayto delay the onset of neurocognitive disorders andslow the progression of cognitive decline.

What makes the Cognitive Therapeutics Method uniqueis that it not only offers customized programs for thosewith some form of cognitive impairment, but it also engages those who simply want to maintain or improvecognitive health. Just like physical exercise, anyone can benefit from a work-out for the brain. In addition, all activities are individually tailored based on abilities and interests.

The activities introduced through the program are designed to be fun and engaging. There is no failing,and our caregivers and interventionists focus on encouraging the client to find meaning in the processesof thinking and trying, instead of focusing on gettingthe answer ‘right’.

Home Care Assistance is the only home care agencyto offer a cognitive exercise program in addition to support with activities of daily living, including transportation, personal care, light housekeeping andcompanionship. Our goal is to help seniors maintainoptimal independence, health and happiness at home,and improving their mental acuity is just one way to accomplish that.

Introducing the Cognitive Therapeutics Method™

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“My mother has suffered from the effects of astroke for almost three years. Regular cognitivetherapy visits have greatly changed her attitudeand demeanor. She is happier and more communicative and coherent.”

— C.P., Son of Client

Why Cognitive Activity Matters

To help explain why cognitive activity matters, it is important to understand neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganizeexisting neural connections and create new ones. Ingeneral, neuroplasticity can occur for two reasons: as a result of learning and experience or as a result of recovery from damage to the brain. It appears that in order for these neural connections to persist, theymust be stimulated by keeping the mind engaged —that means challenging the brain, and learning new information and new skills.

This need for cognitive activity is why healthcareprofessionals and families alike are excited that theCognitive Therapeutics Method is now availableto clients - in the comfort of home!

Our Hope for the Cognitive Therapeutics Method

Home Care Assistance has been the leading provider of in-home care for seniors since 2003. Our goal is to provide seniors with a top tier standard of care, and to that end we are constantly creating innovative programs that improve the lives of aging adults. To take advantage of the latest research suggesting that mental stimulation is associated with slower cognitive decline, we decided to develop a science-based cognitive stimulation program that can be administered one-on-one in the comfortable home environment.

To learn more about the Cognitive Therapeutics Method and other unique offerings from Home Care Assistance, call us at 732-930-1935 or visit HCAJerseyShore.com.