By 2030, 20 percent of America’s population will be aged 65 or older; in 2004, this same age group made up just 12 percent of the population. Research on dementia or Alzheimer's prevention has increased in anticipation of this demographic shift.
One study found that women whose autobiographical writings while young were richer in the number and complexity of ideas expressed ended up having much lower incidence rates of Alzheimer's. Researchers drew on these findings to propose that linguistic ability, an ability linked to brain recall processes, can help lower the risk of dementia. Performing brain word exercises is one way to enhance this skill.
History-Based Word Games
These games, played by participants in early-Alzheimer’s mental fitness programs designed by the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation, can involve filling in the blank on familiar phrases associated with significant individuals, slogans, social movements, events or places from the past. Have a loved one flip through a book relating to something in history you know well, such as the movement for gay rights or civil rights or a particular era in history. Next, have them say to you part of a phrase so you can fill in the blank.
Word Games on the Computer
According to experts from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, word recall activities may assist individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's in retaining language. “Hangman” is a simple word game where the number of letters in a word is given and a player must guess letters and eventually the word. A number of versions of the game catering to different vocabulary sets such as plants and animals, trivia and TV shows from different decades are available.
Classic Word Games
Alzheimer's New Zealand Incorporated, an Alzheimer’s support resource, notes that playing SCRABBLE® and completing crosswords can help maintain brain health to stave off the onset of dementia. The group also points out that learning new skills at any age helps to keep the gray matter in your brain responsible for processing information active. Crossword puzzles can be found daily in newspapers or purchased in volumes at bookstores.
References
- "The Paradoxes of Longevity: Linguistic Ability in Early Life and Longevity"; Findings from the Nun Study; Snowdon DA, Greiner LH, Kemper SJ, Nanayakkara N, Mortimer JA; 1999
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Hangman and Other Word Games
- Alzheimer’s New Zealand Incorporated: Brain Games
- Administration on Aging: A Profile of Older Americans: 2005
- MSNBC.com: Alzheimer’s Patients Not Going Down Without A Fight
