Your Brain on Chess

Today is international chess day!

In the game of chess, two opponents go head to head with 16 playing pieces each. These pieces include eight pawns, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, one queen and one king in each color. Their objective is to capture the opponent’s king through a series of strategic moves.

Chess is recognized and scientifically proven as a powerful tool against dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is known that mental stimulation, including games, helps delay, reduce, or even improve cognitive decline and associated diseases. Chess in particular has been recognized as a leading activity for brain health. As we know, the brain is just like a muscle – if you don’t use it, you lose it, and you need to continuously exercise it in order to maintain top brain functioning.

But what about chess makes it so good for your brain?

Improves memory – Being a good player means remembering how your opponent has operated in the past and recalling moves that have helped you win before. 

Grows Dendrites – This means that chess physically bolsters your brain. Dendrites are the tree-like branches that conduct signals from other neural cells into the neurons they are attached to. Think of them like antennas picking up signals from other brain cells. The more antennas you have and the bigger they are, the more signals you’ll pick up. Dementia and Alzheimer’s involve dendrites becoming weakened or tangled, which lessens memory and brain functionality. But, learning a new skill like chess-playing causes dendrites to grow!

Improved concentration – Looking away or thinking about something else for even a moment can result in the loss of a match, as an opponent is not required to tell you how he moved if you didn’t pay attention.

Problem solving – A chess match is like one big puzzle that needs solving, and solving on the fly, because your opponent is constantly changing the parameters.

Enhances Creativity – Since the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for creativity, it should come as no surprise that activating the right side of your brain helps develop your creative side. Specifically, chess greatly increases originality. 

Chess uses BOTH sides of the brain – Chess is an encompassing brain-game, which means that it involves many parts of your brain! The game is considered a science and an art. Studies show that in order to play chess well, a player must develop and utilize his or her brain’s left hemisphere, which deals with object recognition, as well as the right hemisphere, which deals with pattern recognition. Over time, thanks to the rules and techniques involved in the game, playing chess will effectively exercise and develop not one but both sides of your brain, which is ideal for brain health!

Improved reading and raises IQ – Many studies have shown that playing chess improves reading and raises IQ for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors!

Strengthens planning and foresight – A telling symptoms of cognitive decline is decreased planning and foresight. Strategy games like chess can promote prefrontal cortex development and help them make better decisions in all areas of life, especially those affected by dementia.

Did you know: Millions of people all over the world have been playing chess for over a thousand years! Chess developed in India during the fifth century. Also, the term ‘Checkmate’, used when defeating an opponent in chess, derives from the Persian phrase Shah Mat. The phrase means “the King is dead.”

Emojis Are for Seniors, Too!

Today is World Emoji Day! World Emoji Day on July 17 is a holiday that validates our obsession over these little digital graphic icons. While sometimes they may seem silly, according to various psychologists and researchers, they may play a vital role in the way we communicate today. In fact, Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2015 was the “emoji” – Light up your friends’ phones with all the emojis you want today – it’s a healthy obsession.

Seniors are now using emojis in record numbers! Today’s seniors have embraced technology, which is very important for staying in touch with family and friends! The fun emojis in text messages, emails, and on social media make for an even better experience that helps express emotions and messages. Emojis help increase the sense of emotion in digital messages, which helps combat loneliness and isolation that can be challenging for seniors.

In fact, in 2016 an older adult was frustrated that she was not being represented in emojis, so she designed her own for senior citizens. In 2018, The Unicode Consortium – a group that helps to standardize text and symbols – has just approved 12 grey haired emojis. Now seniors have one more tool in the toolbox for discussing issues that impact older adults.

The release of the first iPhone by Apple in 2007 had an emoji keyboard embedded into the phone to nab the Japanese market. While not intended for U.S. users to find, they did and quickly figured out how to use it.So go ahead, send as many emojis today as you can!

World Emoji Day encourages us to use emojis to send unique messages. From transportation, food, an assortment of wild and domesticated animals to social platforms, weather, and bodily functions, emojis virtually speak for themselves.

Peachy Keen!

Another reason why we love peaches at Private Home Care is because peaches are very nutritious!

Peaches are high in iron (36% of daily recommended intake!), which is important for many bodily functions, especially for promoting healthy blood cells. Eating peaches can help heart health because the help reduce factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.

Peaches boast many nutrients and antioxidants, and are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that promotes important for immunity, reducing free radical oxidative damage, and reducing the risk for chronic diseases. As we know, all of this is very important for brain health! Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and eyes, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and building a healthy gut lining.

They also can aid digestion. Peaches are a good source both insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is important for a smooth and healthy digestive system and compounds in soluble fiber provide food for beneficial bacteria in your intestines. In turn, these bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids — such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate — which feed the cells of your gut. That means that eating peaches can help reduce inflammation, improve symptoms of digestive disorders (such as Crohn’s or IBS), and decrease risk of stomach or bowel cancer. The fiber in peaches also helps keep blood sugar levels stable, and keep you fuller for longer so weight loss is easier.

Peaches are good for your skin (there is a reason why they call soft skin ‘peach fuzz’!). Compounds in peaches and peach flowers may help keep your skin healthy by maintaining moisture and protecting against UV sun damage. Antioxidants in peaches also promote younger looking skin! Additional peaches include reduced allergies, a great source of potassium, and they are widely available and easy to add to your diet.

Sounds peachy keen!

Private Home Care is a Sure Bet!

Happy National Lottery Day!

If you feel extra lucky on July 17th, it might be because it’s National Lottery Day! However, you do not need to buy a ticket to win! Our clients have described Private Home Care as ‘winning the lottery’ in terms of home health care and our high quality services. Our expert, compassionate caregivers ensure the best care for our clients. Private Home Care is a sure bet for you and your loved ones!

Lotteries date back to the 15th century. While early lotteries funded village needs by feeding and clothing the poor, they also strengthened defenses. According to Random Riches author, Manfred Zollinger, one of the oldest lotteries dates back to 1441 in Bruges, Belgium.

In early lotteries, merchants paid for the chance to win money prizes. Often, the grand prizes included the tax farm on the wijnscrooderschap (wine transporters). These early Renaissance lotteries granted one grand prize winner the opportunity to own the tax farm. Their winnings also included quality control of the wine. There’s no question, merchants gained a lucrative position if they won this lottery.

In the United States, early lotteries paid for cannons during the American Revolution. Lottery money also paved roads up and down the East Coast. Today, states own and operate the lotteries. The funds they gather support government programs and the communities they serve.

Post-Op Caregiving

It is always very exciting and relieving when a loved one finally comes home from a hospital stay! Although there is much to celebrate, there can be unforeseen bumps in the road to your loved one’s recovery at home. The home adjustment period takes about a week, and there are many low profile details that need to be attended to, such as Activities of Daily Living, errands, meals, cleaning, and more. There is also the emotional component of increased stress for the one in recovery as well as their family (who are often the caregivers) and friends. This is due to different factors, such many changes happening at once and the frustration of the patient to want to get back to normal life. Sometimes pain, certain medications, or unexpected complications may exacerbate difficulties with the adjustment period.

A great strategy is to cope ahead, this is where Private Home Health Care is here for you and your loved ones. Our company prides itself on our decades of experience caring for postoperative clients. From post-op paperwork, caregiving instructions, assistance with ADL (Activities of Daily Living), medication allocation, companionship, accompanying doctor’s appointments, assisted living, and anything in between, Private Home Care provides excellent care and a top tier experience for our clients and their loved ones.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/home-rehabilitation_b_877111

Use A Tape Measure to Prevent Dementia!

Today, July 14th, measuring twice means something extra on National Tape Measure Day.

The tape measure comes in a wide array of sizes, colors, and materials. You can find some smaller than the palm of your hand or bigger in lengths of 300+ feet. They are used for anything from health purposes, DIY projects at home, by contractors, and in construction. They are a standard tool in almost every household and doctor’s office.

Tape measures are a useful tool for preventing and fighting against dementia. How can this be?! In older adults, body mass index (BMI)-adjusted waist circumference is positively associated with the incidence of dementia, according to study results published in ‘Obesity’. That means that using waist circumference (measured using a tape measure!) is a more acurate indicator of visceral fat than BMI. The reason why BMI – Body Mass Index – is not a reliable measurement for predicting increased risk for dementia is that BMI calculations do not discriminate between fat and lean body mass.

Waist size (measured with a trusty tape measure!) may be better than BMI as an indicator of excess fat. This is because older people tend to lose muscle and gain fat without a change in their weight. A larger waist size is also a sign of excess visceral fat, the deeper type of fat stored within the abdominal cavity. Higher amounts of visceral fat also have been linked with such health issues as heart disease and diabetes. These chronic diseases may contribute to or interplay with the risk of dementia. Sometimes it is better for your health to rely on the old fashioned tape measure than on a fancy new scale!

National Macaroni N’ Cheese Day!

National Mac n Cheese Day One of the classic comfort foods earns a place of honor on July 14th. It is National Mac and Cheese Day!

Mac n’ Cheese is an American favorite and can be found all over the nation, often with added regional twists – New England Lobster Mac n’ Cheese is divine!

Made with macaroni noodles, cream or milk, and the golden goodness of cheese, mac and cheese shines as a side dish while also standing on its own as a main dish. This meal reminds many of us of home while also teaching us the basics of the kitchen, or as a lunchbox staple, or as a go-to easy dinner after a long work day. (Psst – check out this health mac n cheese recipe – https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/healthy-mac-cheese/?fbclid=IwAR20uX2SOEg34_2NQeWT4xkrJa4kZRZIr7NECcThkP8pBZ2sx9vDp-8Wb7U )

From the classic boxed mac n’ cheese, to baked mac n cheese with cheddar or American (and bread crumbs on top!), to the spicy cowboy mac with bacon and jalapenos, there’s a combination for everyone. Mix up the cheeses or load up on seasonings like veggies, meats, and other yummy ingredients.

Mac n’ cheese can be prepared as indulgently or as healthy as you like! You can have 4-cheese mac n cheese, deep fried mac n cheese, or even pizza topped with mac n cheese (carb overload much?). At Private Home Care, we love Mac n’ Cheese, but as always we love it elevated to a healthier dish. Simple ways to make it healthier is to use whole wheat or bean-based pasta, or swap out butter for olive oil or Greek yogurt (which has more protein AND probiotics). Great healthy add-ins could be peas, chickpeas, petit broccoli or brussel sprouts, or tomatoes. Experiment with different cheeses too – you can use Swiss, Parmesan, Gouda, goat cheese, or a tangy soft Lebanese cheese called ‘Labneh’ where you do not have to add any butter or milk!

On July 14th, celebrate mac and cheese not only because we love to eat it, but because it taught us we can cook, too.

P.S. We always love to make foods healthier, but using low fat cheese is NOT the best choice. Why? Because when fat is taken out of cheese, fillers are added to still make the cheese taste good. This could be extra salt or sugar, or even chemicals! PHC always encourages the use of whole foods ingredients, and if you are trying to cut down on fat in cheese, just use a little less!