The human brain is a miraculous organ, capable of doing so much more than we currently are aware of. One of the practices it undertakes regularly is synaptic pruning. That is, it cleans out all those neurons that you don’t use, to make room for those neurons that you do.
This is essentially the idea behind “use it or lose it” when it comes to brain function. That’s why memory exercises for seniors are so paramount. They can help you stimulate your brain and all those neurons, so you can maintain your memory and brain health as you age.
Keep reading for some memory games for seniors that can help with this.
1. Sudoku
There’s a reason why Sudoku has become so popular among people of all age groups. It’s mentally stimulating, it doesn’t require you to be knowledgeable about words, and it can be played anytime and anywhere on your phone or paper.
Sudoku is one of the best memory games for aging because you need immense amounts of logic and creativity to play this game. It also gives you a sense of mastery when you complete it, which motivates you to keep going and complete some more Sudoku puzzles.
2. Crossword Puzzles
If you like words and consider yourself to be a bit of a word fiend, then crossword puzzles are for you. There are many different kinds of word search or crossword puzzles out there, so browse through the various ones on the App Store or online to find the one that suits your preference.
It can also be a social activity that you could do with your partner, children, or grandchildren. This way you can alleviate one of the other silent killers of aging people – loneliness.
3. Chess
When Indian Kings invented this game, they probably didn’t realize how popular it would become. It has become a worldwide phenomenon because it promotes the use of strategy and creativity. Both of these will stimulate your brain into creating new neuronal connections and prevent aging.
Don’t fear the game or feel intimidated by it though. If you are afraid to play it with others at first, then download a chess app on your phone and play against a computer to begin. Once you get comfortable with it, you can start playing against human players both online and offline.
4. Jigsaw Puzzles
If you are searching for a senior brain training game that you can play on your own, then jigsaw puzzles are a good one for that. You can either purchase them for cheap from Craigslist or some other used store like that. Or you can ask your friends and family if they can lend some to you.
Make sure to set up a space for the puzzle so that it doesn’t get disturbed. This way you can sit down and start training your brain whenever you have a few moments free.
5. Reverse the Count
Senior memory maintenance doesn’t always require apps or games. You can even just be walking around in the park or doing your daily chores and training your brain at the same time.
Reverse the count is when you would try to count backward but in different increments. For example, you could count backward from 100 by deducting 3 from each number. Or you could remove seven each time.
6. Compose Music or Create Something
If you are sick of numbers and words, then you could try this instead. Compose some music, knit a sweater, or write a story – creating anything, even if it’s not perfect is a great way to stimulate your brain.
Your brain loves being creative and anytime you allow it to do creative things you are helping it grow and get healthier.
7. Board Games
Another great way to alleviate your loneliness as you get older and stimulate your brain is by playing board games with your family and friends. It’s an easy way for everyone to bond with each other over the weekend or on holidays, and it’s so much fun.
If you don’t have any board games, what are you waiting for? Go to garage sales or a used goods store and get some board games asap. There are so many good ones out there that are interesting, and fun to play.
8. Trivia
Do you know a crazy amount of information about the Beatles? Or do you have a lot of movie information stuffed in your brain just waiting to come out?
Well, setting up a Trivia night with your friends or family or attending one at a local pub or bar is a great way to stimulate your brain. You could even download Trivia apps that you can play while you are sitting around at home to build up your Trivia skills.
9. Concentration Card Games
This is a great card game for senior brain training. It has many names like Pairs or Memory. In it, you would place all the cards from a deck onto a flat surface, facing down.
Then each person picks up a card and then tries to find the matching pair by picking up a random card. As the game goes on, you will start remembering where all the cards are placed (hopefully) and you will be able to match the cards easier.
It’s fascinating how much the brain can retain and you will notice you remember where a lot of the cards are even though you only saw it once or twice in the game.
Memory Exercises for Seniors – Use It or Lose It
You might have noticed the deterioration of your memory or brain-related skills as you get older, and imagined that it was just the way of things and you can’t do anything about it.
But research has proven now that brain regeneration or neurogenesis is a real thing and memory exercises for seniors can help you with that. Try the games laid out above and see how rapidly your memory and brain health improves.
Contact us to learn more about the assisted living for the elderly facilities we have available.