Memory and concentration problems are a constant worry as we age, whether you’re at risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s or not. It’s oftentimes just a natural occurrence; seniors tend to have more memory problems than most. However, doing something as simple as playing a game either by yourself or with friends is an awesome way to keep your brain active and healthy. 

If you start looking for “best memory care facilities near me” in Google, then Kingsley is sure to be at the top of the list. Not only do we offer an amazingly personable staff and a top of the line facility, but we also offer enrichment that seniors need in a time in their lives where they might not get it so often. 

Are you looking for some easy games and activities to promote cognitive wellness? Here are some ideas to get you started:

 

1.) Chess

Whether you’ve played chess before or are trying to learn for the very first time, playing chess is a great way to keep your memory and concentration skills sharp. Chess can be a complicated game to learn, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, it never really leaves you. It’s like riding a bike: when you’ve learned to ride a bike, you never have to learn to ride a bike all over again.

Chess is a strategy game, and the best chess players advise you to think as many moves ahead of your opponent as you possibly can. It’s a game that forces you to analyze the board, think of how you can out-strategize and outsmart your opponents, and come up with ways to get around your opponent’s defenses. Also, it can be difficult to remember how each piece can move, how many spaces it can move, and more. 

This is what makes chess one of the best games you, as a senior, can play to keep up your memory and concentration. There are a lot of moving parts to the game, a lot of intricate strategy-making, and specific rules to specific pieces that need your absolute concentration to get it correct. Plus, chess is a tabletop game, meaning that other than not having the board and pieces with you, you can play chess at any time!

 

2.) Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are another great way to keep your senior’s mind sharp and keep them engaged! These puzzles involve a lot of random trivia knowledge and problem-solving skills. They’re also something that you can do just as easily by yourself as you can with a friend, though it might make it a little easier to solve the clues with a partner! 

Crossword puzzles are also extremely easy to get a hold of. Books full of crossword puzzles are sold in many big box stores like Walmart or Target, and there are no shortage of supplies on Amazon. Your local newspaper will likely have some crossword puzzles in it too, if you look!

The next time you’re looking for a bit of a brain teaser, try finding a crossword puzzle to give you a challenge. It’s sure to be fun. 

 

3.) Sudoku

If you’re more of a numbers person instead of a words or trivia person, then Sudoku may be exactly what you’re looking for. Instead of relying on your knowledge of vocabulary, pop culture references, and obscure facts, you just need to be familiar with the numbers one through nine. 

The concept of Sudoku is easy: each square, each row, and each column all have to have the numbers one through nine. It sounds simple, and the concept of it truly is simple, but sometimes trying to figure out the best way to get the numbers to match perfectly in the grid can be challenging. 

Sudoku is another game that’s easy to access. You can play sudoku for free online at any time, and many local newspapers also offer a daily sudoku puzzle. It’s simple but challenging, especially if you get one of the boards with fewer numbers on it. They definitely make you work for it!

A senior man doing a Sudoku puzzle

 

4.) Video Games

You may be thinking: there’s no way that the best memory care facilities near me actually encourage playing video games, right? Wrong!

For those who are unfamiliar with video games, you might be surprised at how involved many of them can be. The constant button pushing and remembering what each button does, remembering your tasks for the game and how to accomplish them, your different methods of travel, and more make your average video game experience into a learning tool for your senior loved one. 

Strategy-based games are perfect for senior citizens. They may not be able to press the buttons as quickly as needed for a more action-based game, but strategy and farming games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing may be a fun and exciting way to get your senior interested in video games and paying attention to strategy. Encouraging your senior to play video games can also help provide a bridge of interest between a senior loved one and a child or grandchild. 

Senior homes may not commonly offer video game systems, but it might not be a bad idea to speak with the activities coordinator to see if video games are something you may be able to add into the cycle of activities. It’s sure to be a hit, and it’s perfect for improving memory and concentration… and maybe even hand-eye coordination!

 

How Kingsley Can Help

When you go to Google and type in “best memory care facilities near me,” we want Kingsley to be at the top of that list. Our well-trained staff and beautiful, well-kept buildings and grounds are a point of pride for us not only in our memory care facility, but also the facility overall. 

We strive to make you and your family members feel as though they’re at home, which can be difficult if your loved one struggles with memory loss. That is why doing something fun to help improve their memory – like games – is something that we are happy to help facilitate. 

Whether it be a crossword puzzle night or if the seniors want to give the newest Legend of Zelda a go, we want to be able to help. 

If you’re interested in making Kingsley your senior loved one’s new home, contact us today!