Dementia is the name for several conditions that affect older adults. The conditions that commonly fall under the category of dementia have symptoms that include memory loss and agitation. Patients may have difficulty performing common self-care tasks, such as bathing and dressing themselves. According to the National Institutes of Health, dementia typically involves at least two aspects of mental processing and cannot be diagnosed by memory loss alone. Memory loss associated with dementia can be difficult to experience, but memory games may improve mental function.
Card Games
Card games require skill in memory and are enjoyable at the same time. Older adults with memory loss can often function well enough to engage in card games with others, which also gives their brain practice in using memory skills. Repeatedly using memory skills may help this function become sharper.
Teaching
Older adults who are beginning to experience a decline in memory may benefit from teaching others or giving advice. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that when they asked older adults with memory loss about their children, for example, then asked them to give advice about child-rearing, the patients showed an increase in memory function and lucidity. Other exercises that showed similar results included asking the patients to instruct how to make a recipe.
Puzzles
Puzzles are enjoyable ways to pass the time and can improve memory function as well. Word puzzles, such as crosswords and word searches, use memory skills and word recall, which can sharpen these skills. Number puzzles like Sudoku can be beneficial. Even putting together jigsaw puzzles can give the brain practice with exercising its memory functions.
