Games are an engaging and fun way to keep a senior’s mind sharp. Reduced cognitive function and memory is a normal part of aging, but you can slow the effects by continuing to challenge and stimulate their brain. Below are a few games to try when you visit a loved one in their retirement home.

Brain Training Games for Seniors

1. Scrabble

Scrabble® is a fun family game that can have anywhere from two to four players. It is the perfect game for a loved one in a retirement home because it only lasts a few hours. It will also challenge everyone to solve problems as they look at the letters and available spaces to create a word. This allows your loved one to relax and have fun, while also maintaining their vocabulary and learning new words.

2. Board Games

This option is ideal for days when you bring children with you to the retirement home. People of all ages can enjoy them, and some can accommodate large groups. Popular choices include Chess, Monopoly®, and Settlers of Catan®. Each option provides a different level of challenge and skill that can stimulate many different parts of the brain. If your senior has trouble grasping the smaller pieces, the young kids can help them.

3. Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles help to maintain short-term memory function, which is one of the first parts of the brain affected by age. They require seniors to sort through the pieces to find the shape and color that they need, while also remembering what pieces they are trying to match it to. It’s an excellent way to spend time together because you can talk as you work and complete the puzzle with many different people. There’s also an incredible feeling of accomplishment when you finish it together. There are many puzzles that manufacturers design for seniors that utilize large, easy-to-grasp pieces while maintaining an adult-level challenge.

Hillcrest Assisted Living offers comfortable and safe living arrangements at their retirement home in Columbia, MO. They understand that maximizing quality of life includes engaging your senior’s mind with activities, encouraging socialization with their peers, and providing high-quality medical care. Their staff offers a full array of senior care services to help their residents feel at home. Learn more about their assisted living services on their website. Call (573) 696-3201 to schedule a tour.