It is a well-known fact that in order for the elderly to age gracefully and live an independent lifestyle, regular exercise is very important. Researches conducted by those in the healthcare profession have consistently shown that regular exercise slows down cell aging in humans; elders living an active lifestyle often have a much lower body age compared to their sedentary counterparts.
What is equally important, but often neglected though, are brain exercises. While regular physical activity helps in the production of serotonin, a chemical that makes you feel good and keeps your mind sharp, nothing beats the consistent use of your brain in your daily activities. Such activities can take many forms, such as crossword and jigsaw puzzles, as well as board games. Read on to find out more about the suitable brain games for the elderly to engage in.
Card Games
There is ample evidence showing that card games are an effective brainpower booster as they engage the cognitive processes of individuals. Card games such as solitaire can be played alone on a computer, whereas hearts and poker can be played with family and friends on a face-to-face or virtual basis. Playing card games with your loved ones is also a form of socialization and allow you to maintain strong relationships with them. Studies have shown that socially active elders are less likely to suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Trivia Games
Trivia games are a fun way for the elders to stretch their brains. Although one might think that such games are frivolous as some questions might ask you to recall information that have no value or serve no purpose, the process of recalling these information works the parts of your brain which you seldom use in your day-to-day activities. As trivia games are straightforward enough to be enjoyed by people of all ages, the elderly can play them with their grandchildren, providing them with the opportunity to enjoy quality family time. Trivia nights are often conducted by community organizations such as libraries and community halls, or even in your local pub.
Word Games
Another fun brain-stimulating activity for the elderly to engage in are word games. Word games can include crossword puzzles or board games such as Scrabble. These games train your word retrieval skills, an ability that tends to decline as one age. More often than not, they often experience moments where they are unable to find the word they wish to use on a specific occasion, and this inability to retrieve words could be an early warning sign of memory-related diseases such as dementia.
Word search games can be played on two mediums. First, the traditional medium, on paper. You can find crossword puzzle and word search books in your nearest bookshop. Alternatively, most newspapers publish these puzzles daily. Second, you can play them online – on either your mobile device or on your computer. You could even opt for the multiplayer option and play with your family and friends!
At Discovery Village At Twin Creeks, we have a full calendar of activities and events, including the aforementioned activities for our residents to participate in and keep their minds active and sharp! If you or your loved one are interested in joining our fun-filled community, our members of staff are more than happy to bring you on a tour around our campus before you come to a decision!
