BRAIN GAMES FOR SENIORS: DISCOVER THE FUN IN STAYING SHARP

We have good news: Your doctor says you should have more fun!

Just as your body benefits from physical activity, your brain thrives on mental stimulation. That’s where brain games come in!

They challenge your mind, flex your memory muscles, sharpen your problem-solving skills, boost your mood, and even help you feel more confident in your everyday life.

In this blog, we’ll celebrate the joy of brain games for seniors, exploring the different types available, the science behind their effectiveness, and simple ways to make them a part of your daily routine. Get ready to discover a fun and rewarding path to a healthier, happier brain!

The Benefits of Fun and Games for Older Adults

Studies show that play and fun activities – for older adults or people of any age – can have several major benefits, such as:

1. Improve how your brain works

Playing and having fun on a regular basis can enhance your creativity and mental sharpness and help you avoid memory problems. This mental stimulation can also help prevent cognitive decline.

2. Establish and maintain relationships

Fun and play can help seniors make new friends or improve existing relationships. After all, things like laughter and friendly competition are known to increase trust, empathy and intimacy among people who experience them together.

3. Boost mental and emotional well-being

Engaging in hobbies, including fun and games, as an older adult not only stimulates the brain but can also boost well-being, reduce stress, and prevent depression.

4. Improve physical health

Studies show that creating fun moments in your life can be a good way to boost your immune system, reduce your risk of illness, and minimize your perception of any existing pain you might already have.

5. Enhance executive functioning

Some brain games involve switching between tasks or rules, forcing the brain to adapt and think flexibly. This ability to shift gears mentally is a crucial component of executive function, and regular practice can significantly improve it.

How Essex Meadows Has Fun

At Essex Meadows, we keep a full calendar so residents always have the opportunity for organized activities. A few that fall into the fun-and-games category include:

• Physical games: pingpong, shuffleboard and pool games
• Brain games: Organized trivia events, Scrabble and bridge
• Social games: billiards, bridge and bingo

Of course, there are infinite informal and non-scheduled games to be played too. You can engage in brain exercises for seniors anywhere and at any time. Here are some tried-and-true favorites:

1. Bridge

Bridge lovers say this game is every bit as strategic and intellectually demanding as a game like chess, but it also is an inherently social game. It’s the combination of the strategic and social aspects of the game that makes it so popular with seniors.

2. Crossword puzzles

Word games like crossword puzzles are perfect for mental stimulation because they require you to use your memory recall function to find the words being asked for. They also help with association capabilities, as you need to match the clues with the word that fits the box, which can help fight the symptoms of dementia. Quick and easy word searches are also a great way to get a mental boost.

3. Jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are excellent games for helping seniors improve their short-term memory functions. Research has even shown that “clicking”– the act of finding and connecting two correct pieces – releases dopamine, which is associated with happiness and an overall improved sense of well-being. This neurotransmitter can help improve levels of concentration. Jigsaw puzzles are also perfect to solve in groups.

4. Sudoku

Sudoku is a fun brain game for people of all ages and abilities. This logic game involves problem-solving and looking for number patterns. In addition to being mentally stimulating and improving your concentration power, these puzzles can help improve your memory skills.

5. Chess

There’s been much research into just how beneficial this popular strategy game is. For seniors, studies suggest that anybody over age 75 who plays chess is far less likely to develop conditions such as Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, since this is a brain-stimulating activity. One of the most popular board games ever, chess is all about strategy, planning ahead, and thinking outside the box – simply put, it’s a great activity for those of all ages.

6. Bananagrams

This game is a variant on Scrabble. But rather than taking turns, players race against each other to form sets of connecting and intersecting words. The first player to use all their tiles shouts “Bananas!” and wins the hand. For seniors coping with vision issues, there is a version of the game with larger, easy-to-read tiles.

7. Trivia games

Trivia competitions have become a popular activity for people of all ages, but they can be especially helpful for seniors who want to exercise their recall skills. Memory games encourage seniors to recall past events or facts they’ve learned throughout their lives. One of the best parts of playing a trivia game is that they come in a number of categories, and players can choose based on their interests.

8. Bingo

One of the most common activities for older adults, this is a fun, easy activity that can be played in large or small groups. Bingo is a great social activity that can help reduce loneliness and increase a sense of well-being.

9. Video games

Video games can offer a surprising boost to cognitive health in seniors. While often associated with younger generations, certain games can provide valuable mental exercise and stimulation for older adults. Tetris can be an excellent choice for seniors. Its fast-paced nature requires quick thinking, spatial reasoning, and planning skills. The need to rotate and fit falling blocks also helps improve hand-eye coordination.

Keep moving to give your mental abilities a boost

Research shows that physical activity improves your cognitive function. Exercise also spurs the development of new nerve cells and increases the connections between brain cells. At Essex Meadows, we have plenty of fun games that keep you moving, including pingpong, shuffleboard, billiards and golf.

If you’d like to know more about our beautiful community and explore our full calendar of activities, call (860) 767-7201 or contact our team online. We’ll be in touch soon!