These are the best activities to keep seniors’ minds sharp for a long while! Pick your favorite from the list.
Do you remember that time when we were young and we used to read, learn new languages, or even play games with our friends? Now we’re seniors, and we cannot do that anymore. Wait a second. Who said that? For me, age is just a number, and we shouldn’t take it that seriously.
However, what we should take seriously is our mental health and how to keep it sharp until the end of time. It doesn’t have to feel like homework to keep your mind active; it can be entertaining, interesting, and even social! Engaging in mental activities, such as taking up a new hobby, solving puzzles, or dancing to your favorite music, can improve memory, and focus, and even stave off cognitive decline.
Below is a list of engaging activities designed to keep seniors’ minds sharp. From basic chess to Sudoku or Catan, it’s impossible not to find something you like. Let’s begin!
Sudoku
Are you looking for a fun way to challenge your brain and fight dementia? What do you think about Sudoku? A well-known math puzzle that tests your mental abilities is called Sudoku. As you attempt to determine how it must be finished to make all the squares add up in the end, you will need to apply both your analytical and problem-solving abilities.
For free Sudoku, try a Google search for online ones; if you prefer the old-school method, they are also available in newspapers and magazines. Alternatively, you can order your copy of Sudoku Large Print for Seniors from Amazon, which is available for just $14.95. 200 Easy Sudoku Puzzles, that’s $14.95.
Scrabble
Who remembers Scrabble? It used to be so popular back in the day, and if you’re a boomer like me, then you played it for sure. So what if you bring back some memories, challenge your brain and your language knowledge, and play it again?
According to research, Scrabble can help stimulate the brain, keep your mind sharp, and, of course, fight dementia. Even though you may think the game is easy, you will need to carefully consider how to use your letters to form as many words as possible.
It is enjoyable for people of all ages, as both adults and children appreciate it, so it’s a great idea to take it out from the drawer and play with it at next Sunday’s family gathering.
Crosswords
Similar to Scrabble, crosswords is another game that seniors can play to challenge themselves and keep their minds sharp. Elders who experience issues with memory loss, dementia, or other illnesses associated with cognitive decline can benefit from playing this game. The ones available online are the best because they’re super convenient and easy to solve.
If you prefer a printed version, you can buy a boomer-friendly crossword puzzle available on Amazon that features themes from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including music, television, movies, sports, and notable figures.
Checkers
Seniors can easily learn how to play this board game that helps fight dementia. This game focuses more on basic hand-eye coordination and reasoning than it does on strategy. If you haven’t played checkers before, the rules of the game are simple: you must always move your checker on the dark squares and advance it diagonally. You are limited to moving one checker per turn, one space at a time, unless you are jumping. The next player takes their turn after the first, advancing their checker diagonally as they do so.
Trivia quizzes
Trivia games, like Trivial Pursuit, are excellent memory and cognitive enhancers. These games are enjoyable and social when played in groups, and they can lead to fascinating discussions about common experiences.
Bingo
Because it promotes social interaction, bingo has long been a favorite among the senior population. Bingo is one of those games seniors can play to fight dementia, but also to have fun. Besides challenging the brain to stay sharp, you can also improve your hearing because you have to pay attention to which numbers are called out; secondly, your sight will also be improved. Furthermore, according to studies, playing Bingo can also decrease feelings of loneliness, especially if you are willing to play it with your local community and/or with family.
Learn a new language on Duolingo
Another brilliant way for seniors to stay sharp and fight dementia is by learning a new language. I know, it may sound complicated, and many of you will say, “At our age, it’s harder to remember new vocabulary or grammar rules.” But why think like that? What if you learn a new language that you always liked how it sounds without thinking it would be hard?
If taking classes is a bit over your monthly budget, then you can always go for the Duolingo free version. It has a ton of ads in between sessions, but it’s free and even with the ad interruption you can still be able to learn new things.
Playing video games
Video games can be fun for everyone, not only for adolescents. For older adults who might be suffering from mental decline, playing games can help keep the mind sharp and active. Several video games can improve logic, spatial thinking, remembering information, and a host of other skills.
If you’re not used to video games, search for simple ones that don’t have too many jumps or weird quests. Try to find adventure or strategy games that ask you to think more than just shoot things or finish levels quickly; the more difficult the game, the more your brain will be challenged.
Singing
You don’t need to have the voice of Shania Twain to enjoy yourself and sing along in your living room. In addition to being an enjoyable way to spend time with friends and family, singing can help maintain mental clarity. You don’t need to be concerned about this being too difficult because many songs vary in difficulty. Don’t know the lyrics? Fret not! Youtube has a ton of videos for karaoke with lyrics in the description. All you have to do is search for the ones you like!
Jigsaw puzzles
If you’re looking for a basic mental stimulation exercise, try solving a puzzle. Puzzles are a fun way to keep your mind sharp, plus they help you learn new stuff and remember things you’ve already studied. You can tackle all kinds of puzzles, from math-themed ones to picture puzzles.
Puzzles come in two forms: physical and digital. It’s up to you to choose the one you like the most.
Read fiction
Reading in general, no matter the genre, keeps our brain engaged and focused. Reading fiction books, for example, stimulates the mind by allowing you to experience something new and enjoyable, something that you know doesn’t exist in real life.
Along with helping you remember things you’ve forgotten over time, these books might also teach you new things. Additionally, you can write down some of the book’s highlights as you read it. It’s a useful memory-boosting exercise.
What are your favorite activities to keep your mind sharp? Please let me know in the comments.
Related article: These 8 Tips and Tricks Will Improve Your Memory.
