I see you frantically typing, “How do I keep their brain healthy like over 90% of the senior population does?”
Do others in the senior wellness space make it look like it should be a quick and easy thing to do? Ever wonder what their secret is?
Most likely, they’re using some variation of the strategy I’m about to share with you. It’s the Mini-Mental Status Exam. The key is “How do we use it correctly?”
Luckily, I'm not one to gatekeep cognitive health success.
So grab a green tea and let's get into how you can achieve optimal mental sharpness by the end of the year.
Clarify their Brain Health Goals
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the strategy, we have to ensure we know where this cognitive fitness journey is going.
If you've struggled with achieving clear thinking in the past, it may have been because of a lack of precise goal-setting.
Here's how you can clarify their brain health goals. Ask yourself:
- What am I looking to achieve in brain health or cognitive fitness?
- Why is this achievement so important to me?
- Is this achievement realistic given my resources?
Once you answer these questions, you will have a clear guiding light as to where this mental clarity journey is going.
What is the Mini-Mental Status Exam?
If you've heard of the Mini-Mental Status Exam before, you may think it is only for those who follow strict routines and are given only by medical doctors.
Instead, it is a success path for anybody who wants to maintain or improve their cognitive function effectively and sustainably while measuring how well they are doing in key timelines.
To put it simply, the Mini-Mental Status Exam is a way of focusing on the results of essential practices and strategies to keep their mind sharp and resilient.
The Strategy You Need: Mini-Mental Status Exam
Goal Setting
I may have tricked you because we already took care of the goal setting above with the 3 things in their goals. Seriously, I love checking things off of my to-do list before I even get started, don’t you? So let’s keep the momentum going and see what else we can cross off that list.
Ready? Let’s dig in.
The Mini-Mental Status Exam: Part #1: Be Consistent with Cognitive Exercises
Studies have shown that those who engage in regular cognitive exercises are more likely to maintain their mental sharpness.
When you can make your seniors stay consistent with cognitive exercises, it will give them the fortitude to keep their mind engaged and resilient.
My favorite way to instill consistency is with daily brain games.
The Mini-Mental Status Exam: Part #2: Stop Neglecting Their Mental Health
I know this is one of the simplest sounding yet difficult things in practice.
Have you been struggling with neglecting their mental health?
We cannot wait to fix our brain pathways later. We have to prevent them from clogging up now.
It wasn’t until I started prioritizing mental health practices and incorporating relaxation techniques that I was able to regain and even enhance my cognitive function.
You may not be able to stop neglecting their mental health right away, and that’s okay. But you can start implementing mind-care practices, and little by little, you’ll find you have no need to push them(which is great, because it doesn’t work anyway!).
Here are 3 tips to help you get started with mental health care:
- Prioritize Restful Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness or meditation into their daily routine.
- Engage in Social Activities: Have them stay connected with friends and family to keep their mind engaged.
The Mini-Mental Status Exam: Part #3: Create a Supportive Environment
When you first set out to improve their cognitive health, you will likely encounter challenges and distractions.
A surefire way to combat this is by creating a supportive environment.
When you create a supportive environment, you end up establishing habits and routines that reinforce cognitive health.
This means they’ll have more resilience and clarity when it comes to managing daily tasks and long-term goals.
Regularly review and reflect.
While I stand by this being the only strategy you need, you must regularly look at the impact it is having on their mind health goals.
For example, if you are getting feedback that a certain cognitive practice isn't benefiting you, it may be time to adjust it.
One time I saw courses and workshops as a great way to keep our mind’s growing. But so many members saw clarity and mindfulness coming from their hobbies, friends, and family, crossword puzzles, music, and so much more.
Conclusion
Have you gotten a little dose of inspiration for maintaining their brain health? Amazing!
I love to inspire caregivers to keep their seniors in good take cognitive well-being.
It can be a daunting task because there’s not a lot of practical guidance out there.
I’ve been in the senior wellness space for years and nothing makes me happier than sharing my tips and strategies with you so you can help your senior achieve optimal brain health and enhanced mental clarity.
