4 Reasons Why Older Adults Should Do Cognitive Training

Many activity directors and nursing home staff seek ways to provide services for their elderly clients. One important service that needs to be offered for elderly people is cognitive training. Cognitive training has been researched for its potential benefits for improving cognitive, psychological, and physical health in elderly people. In this blog post, we show you 4 reasons why you should provide your elderly clients with cognitive training. 

1. Cognitive training doesn’t involve medication

This might seem like common sense or come as a surprise, but non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive training are of high importance for elderly people. Many medications have side effects, contraindications, and do pose a risk for the person taking them. Cognitive training does not require medication and thus does not have any harmful side effects. Not only is it cost-effective, but the long term effects are only positive. Materials that can be used to provide cognitive training include free cognitive therapy worksheets and digital cognitive therapy tools

2. Cognitive training is effective

Patients who have received cognitive training have shown improved memory and attention skills. Along with regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, stress reduction, and management, cognitive training has been shown to be effective in improving memory and attention in elderly adults with and without cognitive decline. Memory complaints can impact how someone feels about themselves. Actively working on developing strategies to ameliorate memory and overall cognitive functioning has shown to benefit aging adults. Not only does it improve their psychological well-being and mood, but they can continue with their independence. 

3. Therapists can provide cognitive training in groups or individually

Cognitive training can be done in groups or individually. Older people who are healthy, have MCI, or have Alzheimer’s Disease can benefit from performing cognitive training either in a group or one-on-one. Research has been conducted to show the efficacy of cognitive training in different groups of seniors. If you work with elderly people, consider providing cognitive training groups for healthy elders as well as those with MCI and individual services for people that have more severe cognitive impairment.

4. Cognitive training can be done remotely (and through television!)

Adults now are more tech-savvy than before, and many adults are accessing therapeutic services remotely. One study showed that using a television to deliver cognitive significantly improved working memory and executive functioning. The best part of this study? Not only was this intervention effective, but participants found the technology to be user friendly and provide a good therapeutic experience. You can provide cognitive training remotely for your clients using user-friendly technology and a digital cognitive therapy tool. Here is how

Conclusion

Cognitive training has been a subject of interest for elderly people due to it being a non-pharmacological intervention. It has been studied to be effective in healthy and abnormal aging adults. The versatility of it’s usage has allowed the cognitive training market to grow. Clients can now receive positive therapy in groups or individually, depending on a client’s needs, or even remotely. Cognitive training aims to help elderly adults practice cognitive skills as well as develop strategies to overcome everyday problems. Combined with healthy habits such as eating nutrient-dense foods, regular physical activity, and stress reduction, cognitive training can improve the quality of life in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. Because of its proven benefits, activity directors and nursing home staff should implement a cognitive training program into their facilities.

Dustin Luchmee

Dustin was HappyNeuron's Product Specialist. With research experience in stroke, Dustin learned how a stroke can change someone's life. He also learned how different kinds of therapists can work together to help a person get better. He is passionate about neuro-rehabilitation and finding the active ingredients for effective therapy.

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