Six ways to stay sharp as you age

Just like our muscles, our brain functions at its best when it's given a "workout." Challenging your mental acuity — whether through reading, playing word games, completing puzzles or taking on math challenges — is a great way to keep your brain in top shape. Staying sharp as we age, though, is a whole-body activity. While changes in brain structure and function can potentially slow us down, declining coordination and "reduced ability to modify movements to respond to changes in the environment" can also impact our ability to react.

AARP members can use their member benefits to save money while focusing on healthy lifestyle habits from head to toe and inside and out:

"So many wonderful tools are now available to help us keep our minds and bodies sharp at any age," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP Services strives to connect members with as many of these as possible, from apps and online services to insurance options and more, making it easier than ever to prioritize health and wellbeing."

1. Home in on hearing

Difficulty with hearing can make us feel disconnected from the world around us. Ensuring we're hearing at our best not only enables us to stay in the conversation but also helps keep us safe. Particularly when there is a person, vehicle or danger nearby.

AARP provides hearing care solutions that help make it easy to get your hearing checked and address any issues. With AARP^® Hearing Solutions provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing, members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories plus up to $200 off over-the-counter hearing aids. Members also receive a free hearing exam and consultation, with personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. No insurance is needed to use the program.

2. Check out your eyes

Look out! Healthy vision is a critical component to maintaining strong spatial awareness and depth perception. Good vision enables you to accurately perceive the spatial relationships between objects and their surroundings like navigating steps, driving or playing sports. Healthy vision also means you can continue to get around on your own, whether by car or on foot, enabling you to maintain your independence.

Maintain good vision health through regular checkups with an eye care professional, and be sure to take any necessary steps to address problems before they get worse.

AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that include individual and family plans featuring annual eye exams, glasses and lens enhancements, such as progressives and anti-glare coating, and more.

3. Stay agile

An object in motion stays in motion. To stay agile and quick on your feet, it's important to get regular exercise and, if possible, build your strength and flexibility. If you've been sidelined by an injury, procedure or recurring pain, physical therapy can help with recovery and resilience. It can even teach you a few moves that will help you stay sharp for years to come.

Members and non-members can receive at-home physical therapy from AARP^® Physical Therapy At Home™ by Luna. Most insurances and Medicare are accepted by Luna. A prescription may not be needed to start.

4. Maintain a healthy mouth

Simply focusing on your health and wellbeing is a major step toward staying sharp. All the systems of our body are connected in some way. Take your mouth, for example. Studies have increasingly found a link between dental issues like plaque, gum disease, gingivitis and other more serious conditions in the body, including memory loss.

To help keep these ailments at bay, brush and floss daily, and schedule regular dental visits to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. AARP members can find information on dental insurance options that include individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures.

5. Get regimen reminders

Sometimes, medication might be needed to help us stay sharp, and even those with the quickest minds might need a little help remembering to take it. If your regimen requires multiple medications taken at specific times, it's a good idea to get assistance with tracking them.

Hero Smart Pill Dispenser stores, sorts and dispenses up to a 90-day supply of 10 different medications. The connected medication management app helps you manage medication routines, track your supply and understand your adherence. AARP members get exclusive savings on a Hero subscription.

6. Monitor your mental wellness, too

Being in a positive mental state, relaxed and stress-free, can help you stay focused and ready to seize the day. With Dario, members have free access to self-guided programs that include meditations, activities and self-care tips — all designed to support your mental wellness. You can also find content and tools that may help you relieve stress, sleep better, lift your mood and more.

Advancing in age doesn't have to slow you down, mentally or physically. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, staying on top of your regular check-ups, and staying active and engaged with the world around you, staying sharp can be simple. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits.

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.