Village at the Falls Supports Brain Wellness Through Skill-Building Activities

Learning new things, like music or a language, on a regular basis keeps the brain active and healthy for years to come. Seniors can better handle the frustrations of a new hobby and build strong, helpful relationships with their peers by working on these learning goals in a social setting, such as in a community like Village at the Falls.

Most people understand how important it is for seniors here in Menomonee Falls, WI, to get enough exercise and fresh air, but many underestimate the importance of mental stimulation as part of healthy aging.

A trial by George W Rebok et al., involving almost 3,000 older adults, found who did brain wellness exercises exhibited cognitive benefits that were still measurable by researchers years later. The evidence clearly demonstrates how staying mentally active is a key part of senior enrichment. This is how Village at the Falls supports our residents.

Seniors Can Participate in Creative Learning

While many seniors believe learning is something for young people, in reality, it's never too late to stop expanding your knowledge or skill set. According to the National Institute on Aging, when learning is novel and reasonably challenging, it promotes senior well-being.

Here are a few of the ways residents in communities like Village at the Falls might broaden their horizons by learning new skills:

• Some seniors try to learn a new language; this works well when other members of the community are fluent speakers of said language.
• Learning a musical instrument in old age is challenging, but rewarding, and learning an instrument can also combat arthritis or respiratory problems
• Some seniors spent retirement getting deep into strategy games like chess, keeping their minds sharp and busy.

The key to learning as a senior is to be consistent. In high school or university, our brains are well-suited to soak up information. So much so that some students don't need to take an active role in the learning process.

As we age, we don't lose our learning ability, but it does get more challenging. At senior communities like Village at the Falls, staff help seniors follow through with their learning goals and steer them away from harmful perfectionist outlooks.

With the right level of difficulty and with helpful staff supporting their learning journey, residents in independent living communities stay mentally engaged and feel more satisfied with life.

Social Learning Helps Keep Seniors Engaged

According to the University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, it's much easier to stay on a learning trajectory when it's a collaborative, social activity.

For example, let's say you want to learn to play an instrument like the guitar. The initial stages of the process are often frustrating, particularly when learning to play chords.

Learning to correctly place your fingers on each string is tough, but moving from one shape to the next is even tougher. If you can't shift from one chord position to the next relatively quickly, you'll struggle to play many songs.

But once you can play a handful of chords reliably, all of a sudden, you unlock a whole repertoire of popular songs, and you're playing real music. Getting to this point is a satisfying feeling, but it's hard to break through that initial wall of frustration.

It's much easier when you learn with other people. Some seniors form bands with other community members and try to learn songs to play together. It's simpler to work through the frustrations of learning chord shapes when you have friends depending on you.

It's also more effortless to believe in yourself when you've seen others in the community learn successfully. For example, a senior learning chess could learn the basics from a fellow resident with decades of experience.

Such interactions go beyond learning, because they also encourage residents to get to know each other and share their experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Exercise Support Mental Wellness?

Some seniors don't realize that physical and mental wellness are intrinsically linked. Getting regular exercise helps with mobility, but it also acts as a "reset switch" for the brain.

Physical activity increases the amount of endorphins and serotonin in the brain. According to Harvard Health, not only does this help elevate mood, but it also reduces the amount of stress chemicals like cortisol.

It can also help to support neuroplasticity in the brain, boosting memory capacity and improving cognitive function. So, getting a good workout makes it easier for seniors to learn new skills and remember them later on.

Can Technology Help Seniors Learn New Skills?

Yes, for many seniors who grew up in a less tech-focused era, learning how to use a smartphone or laptop could be a new skill in itself. Seniors can also use these devices to explore all kinds of new activities.

For example, typical smartphones come with a powerful camera. Retirement is a great time to get into nature photography or digitize the family scrapbook.

Seniors can also use these devices to access generative AI apps like ChatGPT. They could use image generation tools to colorize black-and-white family photographs. These tools are also capable of restoring damaged photos, helping seniors hold onto cherished memories.

Seniors can also use AI apps to teach new skills. The biggest advantage of these apps is that they can adapt to user preferences and skill level, while having unlimited patience.

The downside is that they're prone to "hallucinations" and can potentially cause dangerous situations when users don't exercise critical thinking skills. AI companies are trying to work safety guardrails into their products, so it's possible these apps will be more senior-friendly in the future.

Discover Village at the Falls

Whether it's learning a musical instrument, speaking a new language, or engaging with new technology, consistency is key. In communities like Village at the Falls, the whole community comes together to help every resident thrive.

Whether you're taking part in musical performances and art classes or bingo nights, you're sure to feel the community spirit.

Interested in learning more about what we have to offer? Contact us today, and let's set a date for a tour.