When was the last time you spent an hour or two with your aging loved ones? Were there things you observed in them, like being forgetful or misplacing things a lot of times? Forgetfulness can be taken as a sign of a cognitive disorder, but remember that this is a normal part of aging. The good news is that you can do something about the situation through brain exercises that can help stimulate their focus while slowing down the process of being forgetful.
Keeping the brain active is important in every stage of life. With brain puzzles and games to keep your loved ones busy, they will have that much-needed mental exercise to boost their memory and decrease possibilities of cognitive decline. There are a lot of simple games for them to consider, and among them are the following:
Board Games
There are plenty of board games that will enhance the memory of your loved ones. Scrabble, Monopoly, Game of the Generals, and a whole lot more are the most popular ones that people their age love to play with family and friends. There are other board games available for download online, and these ones are sure to keep them busy while also having fun. Make sure you spend some time with them when they are doing these activities.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Remember those days when you were young and your loved ones gifted you with jigsaw puzzles? They do that to help you enhance your cognitive skills. Allowing them to do the same thing when they are older will definitely boost brain functions. Add to that, they practice mobility for their hands as they pick up each puzzle piece to complete the game. It will be fun to give them puzzles of nature, or anything that interests them the most. This can be their motivation to finish the exercise.
Word Search
This classic game is loved by anyone, even you. Your loved ones will truly love the idea of having you by their side when playing the game. In your absence, they can actually enjoy the game on their own. There is a web-based version that introduces new puzzles every day. One thing good about that is you do not need to pay any just to enjoy the game. Word Search will definitely stimulate the brain’s function while also keeping the atmosphere fun.
Crossword Puzzles
Also considered a classic, a lot of these puzzles were once available through newspapers. Your loved ones may have been a fan of the game when they were younger. Some of them may have bought books filled with these mind-enhancing activities. You can also search online for versions of crossword puzzles that are offered for free.
Reading Books
If your loved ones have always been a fan of great books when they were younger, now is not the time to stop investing in reading materials that will tickle their fancies. Choose the book that they want carefully, and for sure, they will definitely love browsing through the pages.
Aside from all the above-mentioned brain exercises, your loved ones will definitely love getting involved in activities that will help them celebrate each day of their lives. If they live in a community offering amenities like dining with other residents, they will definitely have an opportunity to share their stories with others.
