What Games Should You Play For Better Brain Health?

Growing older does not mean that the fun has to stop! Maintaining brain activity is crucial at all stages of life, just as it is for the body. The brain has to be stimulated regularly to maintain optimal cognitive function. Luckily, exercising the mind can be easy and enjoyable thanks to games that can be practiced anywhere and by anybody.

Related Blog: 10 Books to Read to Strengthen Your Brain

Benefits of Games for Seniors

Card, board, and video games can aid with age-related memory loss by exercising the brain with numbers, letters, colors, and more. However, the benefits extend beyond brain health.

Better Relationships

The stability offered by a group or regular gathering helps to reduce solitude and loneliness. Talking and interacting with others during gameplay is also a terrific chance to get to know each other better and strengthen friendships throughout your senior years.

Games Create More Happiness

Not only will you remain sharp, but you'll also be happier in general. Seniors who play video games regularly "reported greater levels of well-being, happy mood, psychosocial adjustment, and better self-reported health than non-gamers."

One research centered on the impact of jigsaw puzzles on older persons revealed that regulating distressing impulses through jigsaw puzzling helped avoid chronic stress.

Keeps Your Body Engaged

Games are also good for your body because they require rapid decisions and action. Several games include physical contact that might help seniors gain better balance, rhythm, and instincts.

Best Games for Senior Adults

When selecting board games for elders, it is essential to consider any physical or mental restrictions imposed by aging, illness, or handicap.

• Seniors with visual concerns will profit from games with bolder, easier-to-read print.
• Games with larger pieces are simpler to hold and utilize for seniors with arthritis or motor dysfunctions.
• Seniors with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive degenerative disorders will benefit from quick games that run less than 30 minutes.

Here are some suggestions for games that are both fun and beneficial:

Card Games

Cards are affordable, do not require additional equipment or tools, and promote interaction because they require several players to participate. Card games for seniors exercise the brain by putting the player's strategy and luck to the test.

• Uno—In this game, participants match card numbers, colors, or words until only a single card is left.
• Phase 10—The goal of Phase 10 is to be the first person to finish all ten stages with cards handed at random.
• Crazy Eights—Match cards in suit or number to the card on top of the initial pile until the winner disregards all of their cards.
• Go Fish—By demanding cards from other players, you can try to collect four suits of the same rank.
  
  

Board Games for Seniors

Board games are a popular source of amusement for elders. Board games are diverse, and the games' objectives target a wide range of cognitive skills.

• Chess—A two-player strategic game in which players move contrasting colored pieces through files and ranks.
• Pictionary—One participant pulls the object written on a card from a deck. The other players attempt to guess the word.
• Checkers—Players move their pieces diagonally across a checkered board to hop over and gather all of their opponent's pieces.
• Scrabble—The aim is to get the most points after drawing and playing all the letters from the bag. Bonus points are awarded for scoring hotspots and using all your tiles in a single turn.

Video Games for Seniors

• Words with Friends—This free game is a terrific way to remain in contact with loved ones while keeping your mind active and sharpening your language abilities.
• Wii Sports—Wii is played using your whole body and is a great way to get up and moving. Wii Sports has multiple games you can play from tennis, bowling, baseball, and golf.

Playing brain games is an excellent way to keep the brain sharp as we age. Moorings Park Communities provides a variety of activities to improve your brain health and stay social. Get in touch with us today to learn more!