Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that slowly causes a person to lose more and more of their cognitive functions. An Alzheimer’s patient will lose their ability to remember key life events as well as lose the ability to remember what the here and now is. They often lose the ability to make rational decisions and problem-solve. Because of the disease progression, most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will eventually need round-the-clock Alzheimer’s care services.
Playing Games Slows Cognitive Function Loss
While as children and even adults, we often think of games as entertainment, many games do so much more than purely entertain us. Games engage the brain in strategy, memory, and problem-solving. These important components of game playing stimulate the brain and like exercise, they help keep the brain in shape.
When individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease regularly incorporate game playing into their days, they’ve shown improvement in a variety of cognitive functions such as:
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Short-term memory
- Reaction time
- Reasoning abilities
While there are other ways to help these cognitive functions decline at a slower pace, games are a fun way to engage with your loved one, enjoy some time together, and just have fun!
Top Games for Cognitive Care
Not all games are equal. While almost all games help by practicing memory in turn-taking or rule-following, other games go a step further in maintaining cognitive health by adding in additional needed cognitive functions. The goal is to find games that are challenging for your loved one, but not impossible. You don’t want to frustrate her or cause anxiety about not being able to understand or follow along in a game.
Great Board Games
Some good board games for your loved one might include Monopoly, chess, or checkers. These games have some chance to them, but they also require some strategy for a successful game. These types of games are great for those who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and can be played with an Alzheimer’s care provider.
Card Games
While some card games require an overabundance of counting and strategizing, other card games like Uno, Solitaire, and Go Fish still work out the brain but often without the frustration an Alzheimer’s patient may feel with a more complicated card game. These can be fun games to play with visiting grandkids or during family get-togethers.
Word Puzzles
Word puzzles help postpone early memory loss in many Alzheimer’s patients by building up neural pathways that keep the memories available to the brain. The nice thing about many word puzzles is that they can be done alone or while waiting for something or someone. Crossword puzzles, word searches, and anagrams are all great word puzzles for your loved one.
Jigsaw Puzzles
The jigsaw puzzle is the quiet workout no one saw coming. It seems simple enough – find places for a piece to fit. But from choosing a piece that may fit based on color or image to turning it around and looking at all of the connection points, to choosing another when one doesn’t fit, it creates an intense workout for the brain. They can be done alone or can be a good way for an Alzheimer’s care at home provider to sit beside your loved one and offer companionship as they work side-by-side.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care Services in Norfolk MA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc. today. (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc. provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn MA, and surrounding areas.
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