Whether the phrase "senior moment" is something you occasionally use in jest in reference to yourself or a loved one, the more moments like these you experience, the less they are a laughing matter. But you can take heart--a study published in the December 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association showed that five years of regular brain exercises did indeed improve the lives of participating seniors. The more you exercise your memory, the stronger it can become.
Word Games
Most experts, including those at the Alzheimer's Association, recommend word games such as crossword puzzles to help improve your memory. Crossword puzzles not only help you recall facts buried in your long-term memory, but they also help you think through "word hints" and sort through possible synonyms in your brain's word bank. You can also purchase crossword puzzles in large print and in themed books--ideal for a more customized, personal experience. Also consider board games like Scrabble and Boggle. These games not only enhance players' vocabulary, they have the added benefit of requiring strategy and social interaction.
Number Games
One of the most challenging ways to improve senior memory is through number games that focus on patterns and sequences. Sudoku, a recent phenomenon hailing from Japan is one particular game that, according to the folks at IQ Test Experts, uses unique neural pathways in the brain that challenge your associative memory. Sudoku is a game played with paper and pen or online and requires players to plug numbers into desired patterns onto a grid. If sudoku is not your preference, consider social and hands-on number games like dominoes and Yahtzee.
Lifestyle Games
Lifestyle games are "living" games that you can play throughout the day while performing your routine tasks. You can let others know about them, or you can keep them a secret. They mainly focus on honing your observational skills and stretching your brain just one step further every day. Heather Boerner for AARP recommends starting when you wake up--note the weather outside, the temperature in your room and other morning details, and then relate these to others at breakfast time. When a friend tells you a story, form a mental picture of the details to turn on several parts of your brain at the same time. When taking a walk, look straight ahead and mentally note people and objects in your peripheral vision. Lifestyle games are some of the most creative memory games you can discover for yourself and enjoy.
