It’s a brand new year, and the perfect time to make a resolution for boosting your brain health in 2023.
The Kensington Falls Church wants to help our community take better care of their brains through our partnership with Dr. William Mansbach, founder, and CEO of Counterpoint Health Services.
Read on to learn more about the event and The Kensington’s commitment to improving the quality of life of seniors and the caregivers who love them.
What is healthy aging?
Maintaining our health is important throughout our lives, but what does it mean to age in a healthy way?
Healthy aging involves a commitment to taking care of our minds and bodies as we age.
During the event, Dr. William Mansbach will share simple, tangible, research-backed tips you and your loved ones can use to support your brain health in the New Year.
Attendees will learn how to do the following:
- Reduce the risk of cognitive decline
- Identify issues as they arise
- Measure progress
- Implement the 15 For Me program, which involves daily wellness-focused activities
Dr. William Mansbach has an international reputation as a researcher, clinician, and consultant in the aging field.
The Kensington Falls Church is proud to partner with him to help our community benefit from his extensive knowledge of healthy aging.
How can one reduce the risk of cognitive decline?
The key to reducing the risk of cognitive decline is to implement small, steady changes into your daily routine.
Scientific research has shown that the following steps contribute to a healthier lifestyle, which in turn improves our cognitive wellness:
- Eating well
- Exercising the body and mind
- Reducing stress
- Dropping unhealthy habits
- Getting enough rest
- Participating in social activities
- Managing any health issues
While these steps may feel overwhelming initially, starting small and developing a schedule and routine can help you stay committed to a healthier lifestyle.
For example, you can start with your sleep schedule, and commit to going to bed by a certain time every night.
Or, you can start with your diet, and commit to making a healthy breakfast each morning that includes brain-boosting foods based on the MIND diet.
Your cognitive health is affected by the overall health of your body, as well.
If you suffer from any chronic illnesses or health issues such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, it’s important to keep these problems in check through regular doctor’s visits and medication use.
What is 15 For Me and how can it help maintain brain health?
Dr. William Mansbach was also a pioneer in the development of memory clinics and is the creator of the BCAT® and ENRICH® Systems, which integrate cognitive tests, interventions, and dementia prevention programs.
Among these programs is 15 For Me, which is a web-based application that encourages taking 15 minutes a day for wellness-focused activities.
The 15 For Me program is based on the Three C’s for Reducing Stress:
- Cardio exercises
- Cognitive exercises
- Centered breathing exercises
Prolonged stress has the power to significantly impact our brain health over time and even increases the risk of cognitive decline.
The Kensington Falls Church is dedicated to improving the overall health and wellness of our residents and their caregivers through our full range of support options, which prioritizes mental and emotional health and well-being.
How to recognize the signs and symptoms of cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs between what are considered normal signs of aging and the cognitive decline that occurs with dementia.
With MCI, the person and their family may notice changes in memory or confusion, but it doesn’t significantly interfere with daily life.
Signs and symptoms that indicate mild cognitive impairment include:
- Forgetfulness
- Poor judgment
- Missed appointments
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty following a conversation
- Anxiety, depression, or increased irritability as the person struggles with their brain changes
Mild cognitive impairment could indicate early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but this is not always the case. Some people never get worse, and some people improve.
Due to the varied outcomes associated with MCI, it’s important to continue your brain-boosting efforts through good health and proper stress management.
How The Kensington Falls Church cares for both seniors and their family caregivers
The Kensington Falls Church is an assisted living and memory care community with a simple yet powerful Promise: to love and care for your family as we do our own.
We are as committed to our residents as we are to the family members who care for them. This is why we choose to seek out support from specialty experts such as Dr. William Mansbach to deliver topical information and resources.
The Kensington Falls Church offers continuous caregiver support opportunities through our blog, our Kensington Konnect hub, and a calendar packed with educational, informative events.
Our Memory Cafe supports those in the local community with mild cognitive impairment, and hosts events as an opportunity to make new friends and interact with others.
We offer specialized programs and services to meet the range of needs of our residents, including a person-centered care approach, brain fitness programs, and a health and wellness program.
We go above and beyond what other communities can offer because our founders and owners dreamed of creating a place where they would want their own parents to live.
Our team of dedicated care professionals shares a love of seniors, a passion for excellence, and a spirit to serve others.
The Kensington Falls Church is your partner in caregiving
What makes The Kensington Falls Church different from other senior living or memory care communities?
We are able to offer a full spectrum of support for all levels of care, which provides seniors with a true “aging in place” option. No matter how your care needs change over time, you have a home with us.
Residents have access to numerous services in our community to enrich their lives and allow them to maintain the highest quality of life.
These services include but are not limited to:
- Full calendar of life enrichment activities
- Professional dining services
- Rehabilitation services
- Wellness programs
- Complimentary meals for friends and family
- Couples welcome
- Pets welcome
“Aging in place” allows for greater independence and a longer, healthier life. We encourage the familiar routines that a senior has established while offering more resources for reduced stress, better health, and more social opportunities and activities.
We also have two memory care “neighborhoods,” Connections and Haven, which are tailored to specific levels of memory care needs.
If you’re considering moving a loved one to our community, check out our suites and floor plans.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our community, our services, or our upcoming events. We can’t wait to hear from you!