Old age is one of the stages of development that presents the most specific needs given that when people reach old age they begin to experience wear and tear on a physical and neurological level.
In this article we will see a list of memory games for older adults which can be useful in caring for these people, providing fun activities to spend a pleasant time with them while we stimulate their mind.
The most entertaining memory games for older adults
Family members or caregivers should try to give the best possible quality of life to older people. A good way to do it is keep them socially active and stimulate their memory in order to delay cognitive wear and tear.
In this way, the neuron tissues are stimulated so that the nerve cells create more connections between them, so that memories are accessible from more than one thought path. In short, memory games for older adults promote the fact that neurons communicate with each other in different ways than the environment and the person’s usual daily life encourage them to communicate.
For it takes advantage of what is known as neuronal plasticity , the ability of the brain to adapt to novel situations by modifying its functioning and, at a microscopic level, also its morphology (in terms of the neural networks that compose it). This is a property that we maintain throughout life.
Thus, carrying out activities that require the use of memory represents a challenge that brings parts of the brain that were previously relatively isolated into contact with each other.
Let’s look at some ways to achieve this.
1. Board games
Board games provide adults in the phase of old age a source of significant social contact This is important, since people who are in this stage of life generally tend to isolate themselves. All board games allow the elderly to feel useful and taken into account by others, in addition to stimulating their memory.
In this case, the level of cognitive stimulation will depend on the board game that is implemented. Some good alternatives are always games like dominoes and cards.
The game of chess is the best alternative, taking into account that people who practice this sport have a higher level of memory and concentration even after reaching old age.
2. The “I Spy” game
It consists of selecting an object with our eyes and telling the other participants what letter the object we have chosen begins with, so that by looking around they have to discover what it is, taking into account the objects that are nearby and the clue that they have. we have given them.
This is one of the memory games for older people who have moved deeper into old age and serves to stimulate memory related to language.
3. Memory game with cards
It involves placing the cards that make up the game face down, each card having an identical pair.
The first to play will turn over two and see if they match, and if so, he will set them aside for him. Next the second player will repeat this procedure, and at the end of the game whoever has the most pairs will win It is one of the most versatile memory games, and can be adapted for people of any age.
4. The game of forming words
It is one of the best alternatives to exercise memory in older people, especially in relation to the ability to speak and write.
Is about place a letter inside a board with several squares ; Then the older adult must form all the words he can without repeating them.
5. The game of “Simon Says”
This game adapted to the needs of old age is also a great help to keep your mental processes active. Can be played with three or more people
One of the participants will be the one called “Simon” and the others must do what he orders, as long as he uses the phrase “Simon says” before giving the order.
For example, when saying “Simon says raise your left arm” everyone should do so. But, if, on the other hand, he only says “raise your left arm” then no one should do anything, or they will end up disqualified.
6. Find the differences
This game consists of placing two images that at first glance appear the same, but differ in some details. The participant must carefully observe the two figures and go saying what the specific differences are in each of them
The size of the figures must be taken into account before starting the game, and that older people often have visual difficulties.
7. Complete sentences
It is one of the most entertaining games to play with older adults, taking into consideration that many of them usually know a large number of sayings.
The idea of the game is to place unfinished sentences in a container and take them out at random. Once read aloud the other participant must complete the sentence then it will be the next person’s turn and in the end whoever manages to complete the most sentences in the shortest time will win.
8. Put together puzzles
It is par excellence one of the best games for memory and concentration most famous
When we use it to stimulate the memory of older adults, we must take into consideration several factors, such as the number of pieces of the puzzle (there should not be too many), that sustained attention in old age is not as long, and that the size of the pieces. Pieces should be large so that the person can distinguish them clearly.
Finally, the reason for the puzzle should not be something very abstract, to prevent the player from becoming confused and not wanting to continue playing.
