Abacare encourages people to take part in brain stimulating activities
AN AWARD-WINNING care provider in Wales says it encourages its service users to engage in activities such as learning an instrument or gardening after a report revealed these are the best ways to stimulate the brain (August, 2017).
The Global Council’s recent report on brain health recommends people engage in stimulating activities such as learning an instrument, photography and gardening as they provide benefits for adults’ brain health and can impact how well the brain functions.
Sarah Williams, Registered Manager at Abacare, which has offices in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), said: “We welcome the Global Council’s recent report on cognitively stimulating activities as it’s something we’ve been encouraging our service users to do for many years.
“The report says that ‘brain-training’ games including mind games and puzzles that are designed to improve brain health have little benefit as the player only gets better at the game, which does not amount to improvements in daily cognitive ability, and we agree, much preferring to encourage our service users to take up activities such as gardening that not only stimulate the brain, but help them get up and out into the fresh air and get some exercise too.
“We also encourage learning a musical instrument as this is a great way to improve brain function as it requires the brain systems to work together and can help improve listening skills.”
The report also lists learning a language, yoga, crafts, volunteering and tai-chi as brain stimulating activities.
James Goodwin, Chief Scientist at Age UK, which worked with the Global Council and AARP on the report, said: “Even though it’s never too late to learn something new, the overwhelming message from the report is that you shouldn't wait until later life to try to maintain your brain health.
“The younger you start challenging yourself with mentally stimulating activities, the better your brain function will be as you age.”
Abacare operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.
The large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person centred care to people throughout Wales.
Abacare’s core values, instilled into every staff member, include ‘make us proud’, ‘focus on our service users’ wellbeing’, ‘communicate, listen well and speak with respect’, ‘be passionate, honest, caring and considerate’, ‘recruit and develop the very best’ and ‘lead by example’.
It believes it offers inspiring work for inspirational people.
It is a member of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, Ceretas (formerly British Association of Domiciliary Care), The National Homecare Council and The Information Commissioners Office (Data Protection). It is also registered with the Care Social Services Inspectorate Wales.
Abacare has been awarded an Investors in People accolade for its staff training and development for the fourth year running.
Investors in People is a national standard, which provides a framework that helps organisations to improve performance and realise objectives through the effective management and development of their staff.
It was also named Britain’s ‘Most Outstanding Care Agency’ at the UK Over 50s Housing Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
For more information about Abacare, please call the RCT office on 01443 742645 or visit www.abacare.org.uk.Alternatively, please follow the company on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/Yn4zmS or on Twitter by visitingwww.twitter.com/visitabacare.
