If you have an elderly loved one in your life who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you know the importance of quality memory care. And while seeking professional assistance is highly recommended, there is also work you can do one-on-one with your family member to improve their mental condition. Below are three fun exercises you and your senior can try as part of their memory care routine. 

3 Memory Care Exercises

1. Crossword Puzzles

Research now shows that people who engage in mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles are less likely to have a buildup of beta-amyloid, which is the protein that creates brain plaque. To help your loved one improve their memory skills, try doing one puzzle a day. As they get better at completing them, you can increase the difficulty to keep their cognitive functions sharp. 

2. Chess

Few games are as challenging and fun as chess. Enjoying a game with a parent or loved one is beneficial for their cognitive functions and memory care, as it’s an activity that requires deep focus and thinking ahead. Playing a few rounds every week will help their brain continue operating at a high level, even in the face of dementia-related damage.

3. Testing Recall

Improving recall is an important facet of memory care exercises. Try asking your loved one to memorize and recall one recipe a week. You can also have them try writing a list of names and then reciting it back without looking. 

If you have an elderly loved one who needs quality memory care in Austin, TX, the senior living professionals at Longhorn Village are here to help. This five-star assisted living center provides attentive health care services and a broad range of activities to keep the minds and bodies of patients active. Schedule your tour today by calling (512) 266-5600, and visit them online for more information on their services.