Cognitive health fits into the larger picture that is brain health. Brain health is not only cognitive health, but also emotional health, sensory health, motor function health, and tactile health.(Cognitive health and older adults | National Institute on Aging, 2024) To better understand each of type of health lets define each one.
- Cognitive health is the ability to think, learn, and remember clearly.
- Emotional health is best defined as not only self awareness but also stress management, the ability to build healthy relationships, being able to adapt to change, positive outlook on life, and the ability to understand and respect the feelings of others.
- Sensory health is best defined as the proper functioning of the following: vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
- Motor function health is made up of muscle strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, and motor control.
- Tactile health is the sense of touch. Touch sensitivity, temperature awareness, pain perception, tactile discrimination or the ability to know the feeling of different surfaces, textures, and shapes. Proprioception or the awareness of the body’s position and movements are all elements of tactile health.
(ChatGPT, personal communication, September 30, 2024)
All of the types of health listed contribute to your day in one way or another. For example, driving to the store to pay the bills or pick up groceries uses your cognitive, sensory, motor function, and tactile proprioception. Proprioception is a sense that lets us perceive the location and movements of our body parts. It is important to have all of these in tip-top shape to avoid issues with daily activities.
So what are the risks and reasons of early brain health decline? The National Institute on Aging has a study result that indicates that people with high levels of physical activity showed slower rates of cognitive decline. Another study found that high blood pressure in middle age along with other cerebrovascular risk factors like diabetes and smoking increase the chances to develop dementia. (Cognitive health and older adults | National Institute on Aging 2024) Please take a look at the other articles in the Champion Care blog on exercise and yoga for better health. If you are interested in receiving help on your daily ADLs or activities of daily living contact us today or click on this link for a care plan form. Upon completion of the care plan form a coordinator will help you coordinate your first day with a caregiver.
Citation:
National Institute on Aging. (2024, June 11). Cognitive health and older adults | National Institute on Aging. nia.nih.gov. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
OpenAI. ChatGPT, response to a query, September 30, 2024.