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- Puzzles are an excellent choice for this purpose. Puzzles, particularly crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, have shown promising results in improving cognitive function for individuals with dementia. (source: National Library of Medicine)
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Jun 26, 2023 · Word search puzzles can be a simple yet effective tool for improving cognitive function in dementia patients. These puzzles help stimulate the brain, keeping it active and engaged, which can help slow the progression of the disease.
Oct 10, 2024 · Choosing the right puzzle for your loved one with dementia involves considering their cognitive abilities, interests, and safety needs. The best puzzles are those that provide engagement, stimulation, and a sense of accomplishment without causing frustration or posing safety risks.
Dec 9, 2015 · Word Search is a familiar and popular pastime for many people. It is engaging and offers cognitive challenges as well as providing positive feedback finding the hidden words. Word search puzzles can be a great activity for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
- Overview
- How can brain games help people with dementia?
- What are the best games to play for dementia?
- What other activities can help people with dementia?
- Frequently asked questions about games for dementia
- Takeaway
Dementia causes a progressive loss of a person’s cognitive abilities, which are crucial for everyday functioning.
When someone has dementia, they may have trouble with memory, thinking, reasoning, or even language. Losing these skills can make it difficult for people with dementia to perform their day-to-day activities.
While there’s no cure for dementia, some treatment options can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. For example, people often discuss the idea of using memory games for dementia that can help stimulate the brain. But what does the research actually say about the role of brain stimulating games for dementia?
In this article, we explore how brain games might help with cognitive functions, and the best games to play.
Games are among the many activities that can keep the human mind entertained and engaged. But more importantly, games can help keep our brains stimulated. This is extremely important for older adults, especially those at risk of dementia.
For example, a 2019 study that included older adults explored the impact of 16 weeks of combined physical and cognitive “exergame” training. The researchers found that there was significant improvement of working memory and executive function.
A 2019 study researched the effect of computerized cognitive training (in areas such as reasoning, memory, language, and attention) on the progression of mild cognitive impairment. Results of the study showed that the training increased the brain’s gray matter volume and may help preserve general cognition.
So, what do these studies have to do with brain games for dementia?
When someone has dementia, many of their cognitive skills are declining. These include some of the skills mentioned in these studies, such as memory and reasoning. And newer research has suggested that gaming may help improve these cognitive skills, especially in people with dementia.
Recently, one review from 2020 explored research on the role of serious games for dementia care. During the review, the researchers explored three types of games and their benefits:
Word puzzles
Word puzzles are a genre of games that focus specifically on language. Some games like Scrabble focus on letter and word arrangement, while other games like crosswords focus on word recall. However, there are a wide variety of forms that word puzzles can take, such as the recently released Wordle. Research from 2015 suggests that playing games like crosswords puzzles, among other types of puzzles, may potentially lead to cognitive improvements in verbal learning, memory, speed, and more. With this in mind, consider giving some of these classic word puzzles a try: •crosswords •word searches •anagrams •cryptograms •branded games such as Scrabble and Mad Libs
Jigsaw puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are a type of puzzle game that are particularly beneficial for memory and reasoning. Jigsaw puzzles can range from simple puzzles that are easy to piece together to more complex puzzles that require a lot more hand-eye coordination and memory recall. Because people with dementia often struggle with cognitive skills such as memory recall and reasoning, jigsaw puzzles may be an easy way to support these skills. And the best part about these puzzles is that there’s a little something for everyone, from simple cardboard jigsaws to three-dimensional jigsaw sculptures and much more.
Dice games
There’s a central component of luck in a lot of dice games. Most rely on a random throw of the dice. This makes games like Yahtzee and Bar Dice extra fun and competitive. Older research from 2012 suggests that people with certain types of cognitive conditions, such as dementia, may experience a decrease in numerical and calculation skills. These skills can be practiced with dice games. Here are some brain-simulating dice games that you can add to your repertoire: •Backgammon •Kismet •Liar’s dice •Shut the Box •Yahtzee
Games aren’t the only activities that can help support cognitive function in people with dementia. According to the experts at Dementia Australia, other activities that can be helpful include:
•Reading: Reading is a wonderfully enriching activity that doesn’t just involve books. You can also read poetry, magazines, newspapers, comics, and other printed or online content.
•Entertainment: Watching television shows or listening to radio shows are great examples of how modern entertainment can help keep the brain engaged.
•Arts: Art comes in many forms, such as painting, drawing, and playing musical instruments. Any form of art expression is beneficial in people with dementia.
•Learning: Learning new things, whether through a class, YouTube videos, podcasts, or other mediums, is a great way to reinforce cognitive skills in older age.
Some people with severe dementia may struggle to do even simple tasks, so some of the activities mentioned above may be difficult for them to engage in. If this is the case, consider sticking to simpler activities, like chatting and reminiscing, looking through pictures, and listening to music.
Should you play games by yourself or with another person, or does it matter?
While the research doesn’t say whether solo or multiperson games are better for dementia, we do know that different types of games offer different cognitive benefits. For example, crossword puzzles are generally played alone and can be great for language and attention. But board games can also enhance these skills, and playing with others provides socialization and communication skills.
Can brain games prevent or delay dementia if you start them early in life?
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), nothing has been scientifically proven to prevent or treat dementia. However, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk. This includes staying cognitively active and socializing with family and friends, both of which brain games can help you do.
Who is most at risk of dementia, and is there anything that can prevent this condition?
Science shows that the biggest risk factors for dementia are two things we can’t control: our age and our genetics. Aging is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia, and that risk doubles every 5 years starting at around age 70. While certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of dementia, no approach has been shown to prevent it entirely.
Dementia affects roughly 5 million adults ages 65 and older in the United States alone. And future projections show a huge increase over the next few decades.
Research suggests that brain stimulating games and other activities might improve cognitive functioning in older adults, as well as possibly reducing the risk of developing dementia.
But the exact role of brain games in dementia prevention and treatment is unknown, and more research is needed to determine just how helpful these games can be.
Still, even if we don’t know for sure whether games can help with dementia, we do know one thing: that they’re a fun way to keep the brain engaged, active, and entertained at any age.
Give your brain a small challenge by playing a game of wordsearch. There's a new puzzle every day. Credit: Ekaterina Minaeva from Shutterstock. Try out some other brain-challenging puzzles: Crossword and sudoku. Please be advised that the content on this page is from a site external of the Alzheimer Society website.
9. Word Search Games. Customized word searches with large print and familiar words can help with cognitive stimulation. This is one of the top games to play with dementia patients that’s both fun and mentally engaging. 10. Ball Tossing. A soft, lightweight ball is great for indoor play.
Playing memory or word games may help in preventing cognitive decline. And to those affected by dementia, it is important to maintain their mental health even if via playing games. Here are the best game apps for seniors with dementia including word games, puzzle apps, brain games, and more.
