Brain Games and Activities to Make Memory Care Fun

Professional memory care providers know how to keep seniors active and engaged

A major challenge faced by family caregivers of loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is the unpredictability. As dementia progresses, memory and word retrieval become more difficult. Behavioral changes and mood swings can be common as well as disinterest in favorite hobbies and a desire to be left alone. Providing adequate memory care can be challenging because you are not certain how your loved one will respond from one day to the next.

Facing the uncertainty and seemingly randomness of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can make interacting with a loved one difficult. You want to support their health and happiness without causing confusion or irritation. In coordination with other methods, professional memory care providers suggest brain games and activities as a fun way of engaging seniors.

Brain games, in a way, disguise dementia and Alzheimer’s care as a fun activity. While you and your loved one will definitely enjoy these activities, brain games do more than pass the time and offer a few laughs. Specific activities and games help the brain relearn how to recall specific words, exercise cognitive abilities, encourage focus, and increase alertness. Brain games don’t have to be high-tech or on your smart phone. Often times, the simplest of games are the most beneficial to seniors with dementia.

Memory Care Games for Seniors and Family Caregivers

Bingo – Bingo is an ideal game for seniors with dementia because it can be easily modified based on their personal abilities. It requires matching of letters and numbers or colors and shapes, which are both beneficial on a cognitive level. Bingo is enjoyed and understood by people of all ages, so the whole family can be involved. These social interactions can have a positive impact on your loved one’s mood. [Source]

Card Matching – Like Bingo, card matching games can be easily adjusted for seniors of all levels of memory loss. For early stage dementia, try placing the cards in even rows and columns face up for 2 minutes, then flipping them so the back side shows. Try to find matching pairs by flipping over two cards at a time. If a match is found, remove the pair from the rows. Repeat until all matches have been found. For advanced dementia, leave all the cards face up and have your senior loved one point out pairs. Card matching games help seniors recognize familiar objects and utilize short term memory.

Puzzles – Completing puzzles can be a fun activity to do together and promotes cognitive and tactile abilities. While the main purpose of brain games is to have fun, seniors with dementia may become agitated or frustrated by tasks they are unable to complete. Keeping high-spirits through conversation and friendly assistance can help make puzzles an enjoyable activity.

Want more brain games and activities? Check out 101 Activities for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.

Help is Available When You Need It

Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise, especially for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Assistance from a professional memory care provider or facility can help your loved one stay mentally active on a regular basis. If you’re concerned about your loved one’s well-being while you’re away at work, adult day care services are available. Not only do professional care providers know how to keep your senior safe, other senior residents provide companionship and conversation.

Your senior loved one’s dementia or Alzheimer’s disease will continue to progress and their symptoms will change. As you find your family in need of long term care options, consider specialized care facilities. Adult day care can be a great way to ease your loved one into the idea of assisted living so the transition into full-time care is more comfortable.

If you are providing senior care for a loved one with dementia, know that you are not alone. Utilize local resources and expert assistance from ComfortCare Homes of Wichita.

To learn more about memory care and how specialized care can help, please call ComfortCare Home of Wichita at (316) 685-3322.