Final answer:
To help maintain cognitive abilities, four effective gifts for Beth's mother are a book store gift certificate, university classes, puzzle magazine subscriptions, and guitar lessons. These activities promote mental engagement and learning, essential for cognitive health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beth is looking to help her mother maintain her cognitive abilities and has a budget to buy a useful gift. Considering the importance of mental stimulation for healthy aging, four gifts that would be most effective in serving this purpose are:
- A gift certificate to a bookstore - Reading is shown to keep the mind engaged and improve mental fitness.
- Classes at an extended university - Ongoing education stimulates the brain and promotes lifelong learning.
- Subscriptions for journals and puzzle magazines - Regularly solving puzzles and engaging with intellectually stimulating material can enhance cognitive function.
- Guitar lessons - Learning a musical instrument is a complex activity that can significantly enhance cognitive abilities.
Social activities and maintaining connections are also crucial for cognitive health, but the gifts listed above are specifically targeted at helping Beth's mother maintain her cognitive abilities through direct mental exercise and learning.