Find an exercise activity you enjoy -- then do it. (©iStockphoto.com/Joris van Caspel)-
Home Health Corporation of America ("HHCA") began over 25 years ago in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and since that time the company has grown to include 21 branch offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Florida.More Home Health Corporation of America ("HHCA") began over 25 years ago in Broomall, Pennsylvania, as a single home health agency known as Pennsylvania Home Health Services. Since that time, the company has grown to include 21 branch offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Florida.More We are committed to providing the best home health care to its patients by clinicians who excel in their field. In the provision of home health care, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality. More Home Health Corporation of America is committed to providing the best home health care to its patients by clinicians who excel in their field. In the provision of home health care, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality. More With expertise and compassion, the highly skilled professionals at HHCA provide home health care services that allow you or your loved one to remain as independent as possible. More Home Health Corporation of America understands the importance of maintaining the highest levels of security and comfort in your home. With expertise and compassion, the highly skilled professionals at HHCA provide home health care services that allow you or your loved one to remain as independent as possible. More HHCA has designed a Performance Improvement ("PI") Program to effectively measure, assess and improve the care and services provided to the Company's patients.More HHCA's mission is to provide the highest quality skilled home nursing service. Towards that end, the Company has designed a Performance Improvement ("PI") Program to effectively measure, assess and improve the care and services provided to the Company's patients.More
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In order to provide complete clinical expertise to patients with Cardiovascular Disease, HHCA clinicians are updated with the most recent information and management techniques through continuing education. More In order to provide complete clinical expertise to patients with Cardiovascular Disease, Home Health Corporation of America clinicians are updated with the most recent information and management techniques through ongoing in-services and continuing education. More With a clear understanding that diabetes is more difficult to manage than other chronic illnesses, our clinicians educate their patients and caregivers to help achieve balance in their lifestyles.More With a clear understanding that diabetes is more difficult to manage than other chronic illnesses, our clinicians educate their patients and caregivers on monitoring procedures, achieving balance in their lifestyles and utilizing various community resources.More HHCA has assembled a team of health care professionals led by registered nurses to ensure that the needs of our Pulmonary Disease patients are met. More HHCA has assembled a team of health care professionals led by registered nurses to ensure that the needs of our Pulmonary Disease patients are met. Clinical personnel at HHCA enhance their field expertise by attending ongoing in-service and continuing education programs.More At HHCA, we are committed to recruiting, training, developing and retaining the best professionals in the home health care field. Our clinicians are trained in the latest techniques to manage your loved ones/patients.More At HHCA, we are committed to recruiting, training, developing and retaining the best professionals in the home health care field. You can be assured that our clinicians are trained in the latest techniques to manage your loved ones/patients. More
By Jenilee Matz, M.P.H.
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Exercise maintains your body by keeping it fit and strong. Physical activity also helps ward off serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But exercise doesn't just work wonders for your body. These effects apply to your brain, too. Physical activity sustains brain function and wards off declines in mental ability, too.
Experts say that exercise can help prevent mental decline as we age. Regular exercise may enhance memory and mood, and may improve our ability to juggle multiple mental tasks.
The aging brain
Severe memory loss or other serious mental impairments are most often caused by disease. But age-related mental declines may be the result of decreased brain activity and stimulation. Both mental and physical exercise can help keep your brain sharp.
Your brain with exercise
So how does physical activity boost brain power? It helps you:
- Think more clearly. Getting your heart rate up pumps blood to the brain. This helps your brain perform better. Low-impact exercises like walking may be best for "clearing your head" because muscles don't work hard enough to use up extra oxygen and glucose.
- Improve your memory. Experts say that exercise brings on the growth of nerve cells in the hippo campus, the region of your brain involved in memory. Studies show that seniors who walk regularly have better memories than inactive older adults. And the more you exercise, the better your memory gets.
- Better your ability to do complex tasks. One study found that aerobic exercise helped people with mild cognitive problems to organize information, pay attention and multi-task better. This may be because exercise helps the body move glucose to the brain, which improves its function.
- Possibly ward off Alzheimer's disease. There is growing research that suggests regular exercise is linked with a lower risk of Alzheimer's. Brain activity has been shown to increase with physical fitness. One study found that adults who exercised three times a week had a much lower chance of getting Alzheimer's than those who didn't.
- Ease depression and anxiety. Exercise increases the level of serotonin (a chemical that affects mood) in the brain. Low levels of serotonin are linked with clinical depression. Some studies show that exercise can work just as well as medication in treating mild depression in some people.
- Reduce stress. Physical activity helps lower the release of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone linked with stress.
- Help keep your blood pressure in check. High blood pressure can harm blood vessels in your brain and reduce your brain's oxygen supply. This damages nerve cells that are used for decision-making and memory.
Time to get moving
Check with your doctor first before starting an exercise program. Then use these tips to get moving:
- Pick an activity you enjoy. Try walking, swimming or playing tennis. You'll be more likely to stick with exercising if you enjoy doing it.
- Start slowly. Work your way up to at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Get a workout buddy. Exercise can help build friendships. It may be easier to stick to a fitness schedule if you have someone counting on you to show up.
Even if you've lived an inactive lifestyle up until now, regular activity will help keep your body - and brain - in shape.
SOURCES:
- The Franklin Institute. Improve your brain - new ways to help. Accessed: 02/17/2010
- American Psychological Association. Exercise helps keep your psyche fit. Accessed: 02/17/2010
- National Institute on Aging. Exercise and physical activity: your everyday guide from the National Institute on Aging. Chapter 1: get ready. Accessed: 02/17/2010
- Baker LD, Frank LL, Foster-Schubert K, et al. Effects of aerobic exercise on mild cognitive impairment: a controlled trial. Archives of Neurology. 2010;67(1):71-79.
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. Non-genetic risk factors. Accessed: 02/18/2010
- National Institute on Aging. The search for Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies. Accessed: 02/18/2010
