Do you know why a child’s brain is described as “plastic?” It’s because children’s brains are capable of learning new skills quickly. In most cases, they can also recover fast from brain injuries.
In contrast, an older adult’s brain isn’t that “malleable.” However, that doesn’t mean seniors should just accept the inevitability of cognitive decline. While genetic factors influence brain health, there are many environmental and lifestyle changes that older adults can implement to prevent a decline in thinking skills.
Here’s a look at the best senior activities that can help support brain function now and in the future.
Sharpen Your Mind With Brain Games
Brain games help improve memory, cognitive function, and creativity. They’re aptly named because these fun activities for seniors engage the brain in new ways.
These include:
- Card and board games
- Brain training games
- Crossword, number, and jigsaw puzzles
- Chess and checkers
- Video games
Brain-Boosting Card and Board Games for Seniors
Card and board games are fantastic senior engagement activities, allowing everyone to mingle and socialize while having fun.
Such games can also be used for special events like birthday celebrations. With card games, you only need a standard 52-card pack to play:
- Pinochle
- Bridge
- Rummy
- Canasta
- Go Fish
- Crazy Eights
Meanwhile, the best board games for seniors can help improve their math, memory, and critical thinking skills. These include scrabble, boggle, Yahtzee, backgammon, bingo, and Trivial Pursuit.
Mental Stimulation Through Brain Training Games
When people brainstorm fun ideas for seniors, they always consider the social component of an activity. Based on a 2019 study, this makes sense since those with more frequent social contact were found to be less likely to experience cognitive decline and dementia.
However, senior activities for memory improvement don’t always have to be played with a partner or group to be beneficial. Brain training games, for example, can help delay cognitive decline. Computerized brain games, in particular, can improve:
- Executive function – the ability to plan, focus, and multitask
- Processing speed – how quickly your brain receives and responds to information
- Verbal memory – how well you retain information
- Working memory – the ability to pull information when needed (e.g., phone numbers or shopping lists)
- Spatial cognition – the capacity to navigate your environment
Simple and Fun: Crossword, Number, and Jigsaw Puzzles
Puzzles stimulate the brain’s left and right hemispheres, boosting your problem-solving ability. Note that the left hemisphere is responsible for logical thinking and analytical processes, while the right is associated with creativity and intuition.
When you play puzzles, you enhance mental agility and creative problem-solving skills. Puzzles also help:
- Decrease stress levels
- Improve mood
- Boost manual dexterity and fine motor skills
- Enhance attention to detail and visual-spatial reasoning
Seniors’ Favorite: Chess and Checkers
Playing chess helps you develop perspective by anticipating your opponent’s moves. Beyond the game, honing this skill can help you exercise empathy, as well as foster healthy social relationships.
It’s also not surprising for chess players to have strong memory skills. After all, when you play chess, you must be ready for your opponent’s numerous combinations of moves. Chess players also excel in visual pattern recognition compared to non-chess players.
As for checkers, players learn to be more decisive. They know from frequent gameplay that hesitation can lead to defeat. Playing checkers also helps with developing patience and persistence since the game involves waiting for that moment to attack or work toward a winning position.
Senior-Friendly Video Games
Outdoor activities for seniors help promote light exercise and social interactions. Both are essential for a healthy senior lifestyle.
However, there are times when going outside isn’t advisable. For example, when the weather’s terrible or there are scheduling problems.
In such cases, it’s better to stay home, but it doesn’t mean you should do nothing. Playing video games like Animal Crossing, The Sims, or even something simple like Bejeweled or Tetris can help keep your brain active. Plus, considering many games have platforms for social interaction, you can chat with your virtual friends, which can help you feel more connected to others.
Senior Activities That Promote Learning
Have you always wanted to learn photography? How about quilting or playing a new instrument?
In the process of acquiring new skills, your brain gets stimulated in different ways, which in turn boosts brain function.
Other mentally stimulating hobbies you can pick up to improve brain health include:
- Knitting
- Drawing
- Painting
- Embroidery
- Dancing
You can also learn a new language, which can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Social Activities for Seniors
Group exercise classes, book clubs, volunteer opportunities, and more help create a sense of belonging and connection with others. For older adults, these activities are not only enjoyable but essential for their mental well-being.
The more you socialize with others, the better for your mental health. When you feel isolated, feelings of depression or anxiety increase, which can also impact other aspects of your health.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should spend all your time on social activities. Consider your social battery and choose fun activities that won’t be stressful in the long term.
Dietary Considerations for Brain Health
Just as no single activity can prevent cognitive decline, there isn’t a single brain food that can ensure better memory as you age. If you want to stay sharp in your golden years and beyond, eat a diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
It’s also advisable to get your protein from plant sources and fish (especially fatty ones) and opt for healthy fats rather than saturated ones. As for beverages, tea and coffee are okay to consume as long as your doctor or dietitian permits them.
Boost Your Brain Power in a Supportive Environment
Now that you know which senior activities can help with memory problems, do you think you’ll try one or two activities mentioned here and incorporate them into your daily routine?
If yes, great. Getting family or friends to join you as you learn a new hobby is even better.
At our assisted living community, we are all about helping residents thrive in mind and body. If you’re still looking for a community where your physical and mental health needs come first, we invite you to contact us to schedule a tour at Redbud Place Assisted Living in McKinney, TX.
