Gamified Brain Exercises for Seniors
Who says we’re too old to develop mental skills. One up your cognitive skills with these brain-tested games to make our minds stronger and our enhance our intelligence! Who’s up for the challenge??
10 Brain Activities for Seniors
Online brain games for seniors are pretty beneficial, but those are not the only way to support brain health.
We’ve compiled the best brain activities for seniors that can be played on their own or with loved ones. These games for elderly can affect both their mind and mood positively.
1. Chess
Who would disagree that chess is one of the best brain health games for seniors?
It helps improve strategic and creative thinking. That’s why chess is an excellent choice for playing with any age group, including seniors.
You can play chess online or buy a chessboard to play with your family. Even some parks have chess boards to enjoy after a good walk!
2. Scrabble
Who could say “no” to a good word challenge? Scrabble is an appropriate game for all ages, including seniors.
Scrabble and similar word games help people think strategically and create letters. That’s why it can be considered one of the best brain games for older adults. The other plus is anyone can play Scrabble with seniors, even their grandchildren.
3. Solitaire
It’s necessary to add Solitaire to the best free online brain games for seniors list.
Solitaire is one of the most popular card games globally, with many benefits. It improves memory and recognition skills at the same time.
The rules are easy to understand and remember. That’s why it can even be considered as one of the brain games for seniors with dementia.
4. Board Games
Playing?board games?has a significant impact on the brain. It boosts cognitive functions and memory as well as keeps the brain active.
Board games are also beneficial for developing social relationships. Some seniors feel alone, which may negatively affect their mood and social abilities. That's why playing board games with their families, relatives, or friends supports them both mentally and psychologically.
We have picked three board games, besides the suggested ones in our list: Yahtzee, Hive, and Trivial Pursuit. You may check them out and give one of them a chance for your next game night!
5. UNO
UNO can be considered one of the easy brain games for seniors, but it doesn't mean that it is not beneficial.
UNO cards have both numbers and colors and some unexpected rules like skip and reverse from time to time. Colors and numbers make it easy to understand the rules and help seniors with dementia keep their brains active.
It improves strategic thinking and attention skills and has the advantage of being played socially. In this way, UNO makes the bonds stronger between people and offers so much fun besides all these benefits.
领英推荐
6. Monopoly
What makes Monopoly such a perfect board game enjoyed by all families worldwide?
Monopoly is an entertaining game, but it features more than fun moments. It requires a maximum amount of attention, strategic thinking, counting, and focusing skills for being successful. That's why it's one of the most beneficial brain-stimulating activities for seniors.
7. Backgammon
Can you believe that Mesopotamians played Backgammon 5000 years ago?
In almost all cultures, Backgammon has an important place. It is suitable to play from every age and can be considered one of the best free online brain games for seniors, or if you prefer old-school backgammon, you can easily find and buy one.
There's the luck factor because Backgammon is played with the roll of two dice, but that doesn't mean it's less critical to use strategic thinking and counting skills in Backgammon. Overall, it is worth considering in the brain games for seniors list!
8. Taboo
Describe what you read on the card, and stay away from the forbidden words while doing it... Which game is this? Of course, Taboo!
Taboo stimulates the brain by requiring too many skills to use at the same time, such as language, strategic thinking, creative thinking, and time management.
The rules are simple to understand, but playing is not! It will be surprising how hard it is for the first-time player, so it's on the list of great brain activities for seniors.
9. Rubik’s Cube
Rubik's cube, or frustration in the shape of a cube for lots of people! It's impossible not to be familiar with Rubik's Cube because it has enormous popularity.
There are several Rubik’s Cube forms, but 3x3 is the most known version. Kids, adults, and even seniors have spent lots of hours solving it, but only a few people who have understood the pattern can complete it.
Actually, it's not as hard as you'd imagine. If you follow specific pattern movements, you'll complete the Rubik’s Cube. You can check out the online tutorials about it and play with it as one of the best brain activities for seniors.
10. Memory Card Matching
Memory card matching games?are excellent memory stimulators. All you need is one pack of cards to play.
You need some cards and their pairs to play. You decide how many cards will be lying on the table face down. Pick as many as possible if you want to make it a real challenge.
Choose cards to flip over, then check if they match. If you couldn't find the matched ones, just keep memorizing the places those cards stand.
Memory card matching games can be played in person, or loved ones can accompany the player. In this case, the winner will be the one who has the most matched card pairs.
Article Original Link : https://www.mentalup.co/blog/free-brain-games-for-seniors