Games provide a great reason to get together and enjoy social interaction, which is especially important for seniors with dementia. Some games are even used to treat cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Games can stimulate cognitive function in seniors with varying stages of dementia. In fact, playing games is even known to slow the progression of dementia. Here are some fun and effective brain-stimulating games.
Perquackey
This fun dice and word game will help get the synapses firing. Players roll dice to get a set of random letters, and they have a certain amount of time to write down or say as many words as they can form with those letters. The ability to manipulate the dice to form words helps seniors think critically and recall familiar words. Likewise, the game can be adapted for those with more advanced dementia by letting players turn the dice to other letters or giving them unlimited time to create words. Helping seniors remember words strengthens their vocabulary skills and helps with overall communication.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful game-playing partner for your loved one with dementia. Families looking for top-rated home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Rory’s Story Cubes
If your loved one is creative and loves telling stories, consider getting some of these story cubes. The cubes can be rolled like dice and provide a basic framework for making up a simple story based on the pictures shown on the cubes. Seniors with dementia will appreciate the framework already being there for a story, and they can build on that foundation. Those with moderate or severe dementia can use Rory’s Story Cubes to remember some of their own stories to share with friends and family.
Matching Games
Matching games can strengthen and test a senior’s memory. Even brains affected by dementia are able to make new memory connections. Games that encourage matching and association stimulate the brain by challenging seniors to remember which pictures go with other images or words. For seniors with more advanced dementia, use fewer cards to help them experience the same benefits.
Aging adults who need help managing mental and physical health issues can benefit from the assistance of highly trained professional caregivers. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care Columbia, MD, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Guitar Hero
For seniors willing to embrace the digital age, Guitar Hero can be a fun and adventurous option, since it challenges players to watch the screen and copy what they see by pressing certain keys. Additionally, while playing this game, seniors may enjoy the chance to make some music, which is very therapeutic. If you don’t have a video game console, try using app versions of the game, such as Tap Tap Revenge, that work on a tablet. Encourage your loved one to compete against friends or even the grandkids for some social interaction while playing.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional elder care. Columbia families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. Call us today at 443-233-1245 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
