Games and puzzles for elderly adults can be not only interesting and entertaining, but can also improve memory, daily life skills, and overall mental health. In addition games and puzzles can be a fantastic respite from routines and daily stresses.
As caregivers, we can help slow the decline of our loved one's memory and cognitive abilities by keeping seniors busy with games and activities that stimulate the brain and challenge their mental, functional and physical abilities. This can help them to remain as independent for as long as possible.
Here are 5 Brain-Boosting games for seniors.
Video Games
Whether alone or with someone else video games can be a fantastic way for caregivers and seniors to bond, have fun and exercise the brain. Video games can help with hand-eye coordination and in cases with first-person sports games, they can help with getting physically active. In addition video games can help with concentration, strategic thinking, stimulate the brain and release endorphins. According to Medical News Today "Evidence demonstrates that playing video games increases the size and competence of parts of the brain responsible for visuospatial skills – a person’s ability to identify visual and spatial relationships among objects. In long-term gamers and individuals who had volunteered to follow a video game training plan, the right hippocampus was enlarged".
Soduko,
As a number puzzle Sudoku challenges the mind. Think of it like a crossword puzzle that uses numbers. This powerhouse brain exercise does not require any math, they are just well-organized numbers. In fact, Soduko puzzles can be done with letters, colours or symbols as well. If you are looking for some free printable Soduko puzzles look no further than here https://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku/.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles exercise the left and right side of the brain simultaneously. For this reason, Jigsaw puzzles are not only fantastic for seniors but a powerhouse brain exercise for elder adults with Alzheimer's disease.
The left side of your brain is the logical side and works in a linear fashion. Your right brain is creative and intuitive. While doing a jigsaw puzzle, both sides are active and engaged. This helps improve problem-solving skills and increase attention span.
Chess
Like all mind sports chess can have a positive effect on the brain. Chess is mentally stimulating since it exercises strategic thinking, planning and responses. Getting tired? No worries, pause your game and come back later. While not continuously around the clock, chess matches have been known to carry on for days, weeks or months.
Card Games
For many seniors in Victoria, BC, cards are a past time, a passion and a wonderful way to socialize with caregivers or other elder adults. What they might not know is that they are exercising their brains. From cribbage and rummy to crazy 8's and Gin, card games can be a lot of fun and are great for the brain. Card games can include strategy, counting, concentration and memory.
Pacific Coast Health Services recognizes that there are many more brain-boosting games for seniors as such we are sharing some of our favs from over the years.
From Sidney to Victoria BC, Pacific Coast Health Services provides home healthcare for seniors and persons with disabilities. From respite care & 24-hour care to dementia care & advanced foot care, our care line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - 365 days a year. To book your free in-home healthcare assessment.
Call (250) 389-0202 or Email tjohnson@pchservices.ca.