Games are not only fun and entertaining, but specific types can be great for cognitive stimulation. Keeping the mind active and challenged is incredibly important – particularly for older adults. Not only can this improve their quality of life by providing opportunities for entertainment and engagement, but it can also help protect against mental decline.
As people age, their ability to concentrate and form new memories deteriorates. Therefore, games that target these areas – such as those discussed below – are a great way to preserve cognitive abilities in the elderly. As even a few minutes a day can make a difference, encourage your elderly loved one to incorporate a variety of games into their everyday life.
Sudoku requires a fair amount of focus and attention, which in turn helps with the formation of new memories. If your loved one is new to Sudoku – instead of starting with the traditional 9x9 puzzle, start with a smaller one. Over time, they can attempt more difficult puzzles. With Sudoku, as with all games and activities, it is important to keep challenging oneself by augmenting the levels of difficulty.
Playing chess exercises both the right and left side of the brain, and has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and math and reading scores in children. But the benefits of playing chess are in fact life-long. This can be a good game that you can play with your loved one if they live close by. You can spend some quality time together while also reaping the benefits of playing chess!
Who doesn't love a good old game of Bingo? As it turns out, this game that is commonly played in senior centers and long-term care institutions is great for enhancing cognition. It is also is well-suited to all seniors – including those with cognitive impairment – and has the added benefit of being a highly social game.
A game that you may remember from long road trips is Word Chain, or Shiritori. In this game, the two or more players must find words that begin with the last letter of the prior word (“flower” followed by “raisin”). This game requires no materials, and can be easily played anywhere, even over the phone!
Completing a jigsaw puzzle allows the “player” to activate both sides of their brain. The left side determines how the various puzzle pieces fit together, while the right leverages intuition and looks at the big picture. Depending on a person’s cognitive ability, more complex or relatively simple puzzles can be chosen, making this game also suitable for almost everyone.
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