Games can be a great way to provide mental stimulation, promote cognitive health, and help your elderly loved one stay connected. Memory games can also help in providing an enjoyable and meaningful activity for older adults residing in assisted living communities.
For those who are not familiar with memory games, the key is to recall information that has been collected from a previous set of items. Memory games can be as simple as flipping cards and identifying matching pairs. Let’s take a look at games you can play with your elderly loved one to help their memory.
Trivia Quizzes
Trivia quizzes can be used to help recall information from the past. Ask a series of questions related to their life, personal interests, or current events. See who can answer the most questions correctly! The questions can be about anything, ranging from music to history to literature, or even general knowledge. The topic doesn’t matter, as long as you are engaging their memory and helping them to recall the information.
Bingo
Bingo is an easy game to play and doesn’t require much preparation. You can use a traditional Bingo card or create your own with words, numbers, shapes, or colors. The idea of the game is for your elderly loved one to recognize the items on their card that match what you call out. Bingo allows your loved one to engage their senses of hearing, sight, and touch. Although it may seem like just a fun pastime for the elderly, Bingo actually helps greatly improve their well-being.
Card Matching
Another memory game you can play with your elderly loved one is card matching. For this game, all you need are two decks of cards – one for you and one for them. Shuffle the deck and start flipping them over two at a time to find pairs that match each other. This game helps recall scenes, objects, words, and numbers.
Chess
One of the most popular memory games is chess. This game is not only a fun activity, but it also encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. It also helps your elderly loved one remember rules, objects, and strategies that can help them achieve victory.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are another memory game to try with your elderly loved one. It helps them recall colors, shapes, and patterns as they piece together the puzzle. As an added bonus, jigsaw puzzles can be customized to fit the interests of your loved one.
Play These Games With Your Elderly Loved Ones
These memory games are great for engaging your elderly loved one’s mind and providing a meaningful activity to look forward to. Not only do memory games stimulate cognitive health, but they also provide an enjoyable experience that strengthens the bond between you and your elderly loved one. Try these memory games today!
