Senior brain games are essential for elderly folks to maintain their happiness and ensure their minds are sharp into their retirement years. By playing Bingo, Scrabble, and more, seniors can have fun and maintain cognitive health at the same time.
Did you know that board games have numerous benefits for your mind and body? According to Ahead, playing board games regularly can have advantages that rival reading and other traditionally intellectual activities.
For seniors in Denton, TX, brain games are more than just a fun lifestyle addition. Playing games in communities such as Dogwood Estates can transform your senior living experience and improve overall brain wellness.
Elderly people tend to enjoy games that do not involve extensive movement. High-contact sports aren't the best option because they may have limited mobility or fragile bones due to conditions such as osteoporosis.
Independent senior living communities tend to offer activities tailored exclusively for senior needs. Games are often played sitting down, or with light mobility, rather than high-contact.
Seniors also tend to lean toward traditional games that they grew up playing, such as card games and old-fashioned board games. They often stick to classic favorites, like Bridge and Monopoly, rather than some of the newer games that may involve more complex gameplay.
Cognitive activities for seniors can range from games to crafting. Cognitive activities may also involve specific goals, such as practicing fine motor skills or working on short-term memory retention.
Seniors may enjoy activities such as:
How can senior residents use games to retain their cognitive wellness? Here are some of the best games that you can play every single day so your brain functions at its highest potential.
If you are a social gamer, charades is one of the best options that everyone can play. You can theme your charades around a topic familiar to everyone, such as classic films or pop culture.
Charades is fantastic for the brain because it involves multiple different areas and types of brain exercises, including:
Bingo is known as a classic senior game for a reason. Although it seems simple, many Bingo games are very fast-paced. Players must locate the appropriate number on their stamp card and ensure it's marked before the next number is called.
There are also many different combinations to remember in Bingo. The rules may involve getting one complete row and one complete column, or a specific type of shape, rather than the traditional Bingo.
Test your word knowledge with a rousing game of Scrabble. Not only do you have to use a limited number of letters to construct words, but you also have limitations and the objective of forming the highest-scoring word for more points. Grabbing and placing Scrabble tiles are also helpful for maintaining dexterity and fine motor skills.
If you have ever seen the crossword puzzle or word search books in the checkout line at the grocery store, consider picking one up on your next shopping trip. They are both portable and affordable, making word puzzles one of the most versatile options for gaming on the go.
It depends. There is plenty of evidence to support physical materials having more of a lasting effect on memory and retention. Psychology Today stresses the importance of writing things down on paper, rather than relying on digital format, and this principle can also apply to brain games.
However, accessibility is also crucial for seniors. Many have an easier time using a tablet or assistive device, rather than putting pen to paper. It can be easier to type in letters on a crossword puzzle rather than try to fit them into small boxes with a pencil or pen.
Digital options may also be advantageous for residents with smaller spaces. You will not have to worry about a nightstand filled with puzzle books or journals; rather, a tablet can give you all that and more, in a streamlined, organized location.
Doctors will typically give seniors a mental competency test, also known as a cognitive test, as they age to ensure their brain is functioning properly. These tests are highly standardized, and usually involve elements such as:
For instance, the doctor may ask you to draw a clock displaying a certain time. One common question involves remembering three words mentioned at the beginning of the test, as an indicator of memory function.
Senior living communities present wonderful opportunities for residents to enjoy games for seniors every single day. You can socialize with your fellow independent living residents or simply enjoy solitary activities while in the company of one another.
Although Dogwood Estates has a rotating selection of activities and games that may vary month to month, expect to find variations of:
If your preferred game isn't available on the activity calendar, you can put together your own group. Find other residents who are interested in playing a brain-boosting game and arrange a time and location to meet.
Senior brain games aren't just an optional form of fun in your elderly years. They are essential if you want to maintain your cognitive health and stave off or slow down the effects of diseases such as dementia.
At Dogwood Estates Senior Living, we take pride in our many activities that focus on whole-body wellness, which includes mental health. Our rotating activity calendar features many events and classes that can feed your mind, body, and soul, from Uno sessions to educational seminars.
Are you ready to move to Dogwood Estates? Reach out to us today to learn more about our beautiful community, or visit us in Denton, TX, to see it in person. We can't wait to meet you!