2. Brainercise for Week 5

TIP

Remember, it is not important whether these exercises are easy or difficult.

Over the course of the program, the participant will engage in numerous cognitive processes which is what will keep the healthy areas of their brain active.

This is what can build and strengthen their cognitive reserve and increase their brain’s neuroplasticity to help slow dementia-related decline.

TIP

There may be steps that they cannot complete depending on what area(s) of the brain have been damaged.

Use the Process-Focused Strategy Phrases to encourage them as much as possible and only complete the steps that they are unable to complete at all.

What matters is the participant attempts each of the steps to the best of their ability at this moment. 

TIP

Complete the Seated Stretch exercises before beginning to increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Click the link to view the Seated Stretch Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/2-motion-seated-stretch-instructions/

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To relieve anxiety, also do the Just Breathe! exercise or one of the Mindfulness Moments exercises.

Click the link to view the Just Breathe! Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/1-just-breathe-instructions/

Click the link to view the Mindfulness Moments Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/3-mindfulness-moments-instructions/

TIP

Complete the GIG of the Day Emotional Support Activities prior to beginning the Brainercise activity so everyone will be in a positive, happy state of mind.

Click the link to access the GIG of the Day Emotional Support Activities: https://brainstimforseniors.com/access-my-courses/emotional-support/

TIP

Click here for information about the process to follow when doing the Brainercise Exercises: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/5-about-the-cognitive-engagements-of-the-day/

TIP

Before beginning the exercises, have the participant look back and forth to the right and then to the left a few times without moving the head.

Science suggests this movement increases concentration and problem-solving ability.

Brainercise 5a

Kit Supplies Needed:

none

Instructions:

• Name 10 things you hope you never have to smell again.
• Name 10 things that you love to smell.
• Close your eyes and imagine you can smell their aromas.
• For the things you love to smell, when was the last time you smelled them?
• Where were you and who were you with?

Comments:

Brainercise 5b

Kit Supplies Needed:

Pick up Sticks

Instructions:

• Spread the sticks on the table.
• Close your eyes and pick up one stick.
• Open your eyes.
• Name something that is the color you picked.
• Repeat until all the sticks have been chosen.

Comments:

Other options:

• Repeat but name something that would NOT be the color you picked.
• Pick up any 2 or more sticks.
• Name something that has all those colors in or on them.

Brainercise 5c

Kit Supplies Needed:

2 towels

Instructions:

• Roll one towel as tightly as you can.
• Hold your left hand up and spread your fingers open.
• Using your right hand only, intertwine the towel between each finger on your left hand.
• Squeeze the towel 9 times.
• Bend your fingers as tightly around the towel as you can.
• Pull the towel out with your right hand as you silently count to 6.
• Repeat using the opposite hand.

Comments:

This may be difficult if arthritis or other joint issues are present. Do the best you can without harming yourself.

Brainercise 5d

Kit Supplies Needed:

Baking Cups

Ink Pen (see below for color)

Instructions:

• Choose a pen that is a different color than the top baking cup
• Without taking the stack of baking cups apart, use the pen to draw a line inside each crease of the baking cup
• Throw away only the baking cup you drew in

Comments:

Make sure the stack remains intact. You will need these for another activity later. If you have more time or you want to make this a little more difficult, instruct the participant to draw a line between every other crease in the baking cup.

Brainercise 5e

Kit Supplies Needed:

Rubber bands

Instructions:

• Extend your arm in front of you as far as you comfortably can
• Dump all the bands on the table in a pile.
• With your dominant hand pick out one large band.
• Lay it as far to the right as you can reach comfortably.
• Use your non-dominant hand pick up a small band.
• Put it inside the large band with your non-dominant hand.
• Work from right to left.
• Continue this process until you use all the bands you can.

Comments:

Repeat this process but switch hands in the directions.

Brainercise 5f

Nostalgia Exercise Instructions:

• Listen to or sing the suggested Nostalgia Song or one of your choice as many times as you like and time allows.
• What were you doing in life when this song was popular?
• How does hearing this song now make you feel?

Brainercise 5g

Neuron Exercise Instructions:

• Listen to the suggested Neuron Song or one of your choice.
• While listening, focus on the lyrics (or melody).
• Next, listen during the verses or main melody.
• Try to sing along during the chorus (the part that repeats).
• It does not matter if you sing the lyrics correctly or not.
• Repeat the process as many times as time and preference allows.

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