Dementia is a disease that directly affects the patient's brain, causing problems such as unusual behavior and memory loss. Dementia causes disruptions in the life of the patient and brings heartache to families as the patient begins to forget things. Dementia patients may find it possible to slow down the progression of the disease by performing simple brain exercises.
Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles provide an intellectually stimulating exercise that require a variety of mental activities such as logic, geometrical skills and word skills. Crossword puzzles are very affordable and easy to find, meaning new puzzles can always be made available to the patient. According to a Yeshiva University study performed by professor Joe Verghese, a person who completed at least four crossword puzzles each week was less likely to have dementia symptoms than those who completed only one.
Word Find Games
The brain is malleable and extremely resilient. Because of this, stimulating activity in the brain may increase the cognitive ability of the patient and slow the progression of dementia. One way to stimulate brain activity is to perform word-search or word-find games. These games help the brain by using logic, spelling, comparing and hunting. Word-find games can be found in many newspapers and magazines. Additionally, there are books devoted completely to word-find games.
Word Games
Word games such as Scrabble exercise the brain by requiring various forms of thinking. Word games use rational thinking, spelling and the logic of placement and space. Since many word games allow for multiple players, they also provide important opportunities for the patient to socialize. Playing word games with other people can help to alleviate feelings of depression and loneliness, both of which are side effects from feeling isolated and aging in general. Playing word games daily will give the patient something to look forward to while helping to keep her aging mind sharp.
Trivia
Trivia games such as Family Feud, Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit may aid dementia patients in retaining some of their brain functions. Some of the best games feature questions from when the patient was younger. Trivia games also can be played in a social setting with friends or even online if the patient has Internet access.
Other Stimulating Exercises
There are many games that exercise the brain and stimulate it by keeping it active. Some excellent choices are strategy games, such as chess, checkers and Sudoku. Various card games offer the patient a combination of social skills, planning skills and logic. Even a simple game of solitaire can keep the mind sharp and focused. Computer and video games can also be used to stimulate activities in the brain, helping to slow the progression of dementia.
References
- University of Connecticut Health Center: Brain Teasers
- SeniorJournal.com: Best Computer ‘Brain Games’ for Senior Citizens to Delay Alzheimer’s Disease
- USA Today: These Mind Games Do You Good
- Caring.com: Memory Card Games for Alzheimer's & Dementia Patients
- Boston.com: The Quest to Stop the Brain Drain
