Elderly of Ajman give the brain a workout

The 'Brain Exercise Room' offers a stimulating environment where residents of the ELderly Nursing Home Ajman can engage in activities that promote healthy brain functions.

Ismaeil Faraj and Khalfan enjoying puzzle games in the 'Brain Exercise Room' at the Elderly Nursing Home Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

AJMAN // Khalfan Al Shamsi does not know his age, other than “old”. But he still thinks like a young man.

The Emirati, who lives at the Elderly Nursing Home Ajman, has welcomed the opening of a new mental and physical health centre designed to help elderly residents excercise their minds.

The “Brain Exercise Room” offers a stimulating environment where residents and visiting senior citizens can solve puzzles and play word games, chess and other activities to promote healthy brain functions and prevent the onset of age-related memory loss.

“I don’t know my real age, but I know am old and happy to have a lot of young people taking care of me,” said Mr Al Shamsi as he tackled a puzzle.

Ismail Kajol, another resident, also enjoyed the new excercise room. “I like staying here, everything is good in this place,” he said. “The new games are also good. I like to play them all.”

Officials at the nursing home said the centre would help to improve the mental and physical health of residents and outpatients.

“Extensive research on the subject of mental health shows that the greater the number of stimulating activities such as doing puzzles, playing board or card games, having group discussions and playing music are engaged in by senior citizens, the longer the delay of signs of brain ageing, including rapid memory loss and the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Laila Amin Al Zaruni, the home’s manager.

A furnished, shaded and landscaped outdoor space where residents and guests can socialise and enjoy the fresh air was also opened.

“We look beyond our commercial activities to add value and innovation to the lives of our customers, their families and the wider community,” said Fareda Abdullah, vice president, human capital and corporate communications at Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, which provided the facilities.

“The nurturing of our senior population is part of that goal.”

The nursing home cares for Ajman’s elderly population and provides inpatient and outpatient services such as physiotherapy, social services and psychiatric care.

In addition to the Ajman facility, there are nursing homes in Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah.