With the long winter spells in Toronto, elder care should include more than just keeping seniors warm. You may also want to consider heat therapies that offer multiple health benefits for your loved one. For instance, sauna bathing has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia. Here are some of the ways this type of bathing can help your senior loved one stave off this cognitive condition.
Increases Blood Flow
When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, it becomes damaged, which has a negative effect on the ability to think and process information correctly. As a result, your loved one may find it difficult to recall old memories and remember new ones. With the help of sauna bathing, your loved one’s body temperature is regulated, allowing blood to flow through the body with greater ease, which prevents blockages and blood clots from building up. The thick oxygenated blood flows through the brain and helps your loved one retain his or her memories.
Relieves Stress
Excessive stress and anxiety damages areas in the brain involved in emotional response, critical thinking, and memory. However, sauna bathing can help your loved one relieve stress. The heat from the sauna relaxes the body and releases positive endorphins, which can make your loved one feel calm, help him or her retain memories, and stave off dementia.
Promotes Good Sleeping Habits
When seniors sleep, their brains clear out toxins that can lead to memory loss. However, if your loved one does not get enough sleep, the toxins may build up and damage his or her brain, increasing the risk of dementia. Sauna bathing increases your loved one’s chance of getting a deeper and more relaxed night of sleep because it decreases body temperatures, which makes the body more relaxed and tired. Lower body temperatures are important for entering the “deep sleep” phase when the brain removes dementia-causing toxins.
Burns Calories
When your loved one burns calories, he or she can maintain a healthy weight, which prevents cholesterol and blood pressure levels from rising and causing blockages that stop oxygen from reaching the brain. Sauna bathing facilitates sweating, an important aspect of burning calories. In cold climates, sauna bathing is one of the most relaxing ways to lose weight, lower cholesterol levels, unclog arteries, increase blood and oxygen flow, and prevent dementia.
Sauna bathing is just one of many ways seniors can reduce their risk of dementia. For high-quality dementia care, Toronto, ON, residents recommend Home Care Assistance. Our team of experienced live-in and hourly caregivers can assist your loved one with a wide variety of daily activities, from meal preparation to basic housekeeping. If your loved one needs support and you can’t manage everything on your own, get in touch with one of our qualified Care Managers today at (416) 488-8777.