Improving memory and mental health helps seniors have better concentration, information reception and processing, and better memory skills. Hio has listed 10 brain games and activities that you can play with your elderly relatives or loved ones to keep their brains active.

Any brain training activity or game is a fun and effective way to improve overall mental health for all ages, especially older adults. 

1. Riddles

Riddles are a great way to stimulate the minds of older adults and provide a good laugh. Suggested riddle topics include:

• Opera
• Current job
• Interesting facts about family members
• History
• General knowledge
• Literature
• Old TV series

2. Sudoku

Solving Sudoku puzzles is a popular game, above all, a successful Sudoku game can give older adults a great sense of accomplishment.

Your loved ones can play this game online or if they are not comfortable using computers, phones, there are still many sites e-commerce selling paper publications

3. Arts & Crafts

Keeping your hands busy with arts and crafts encourages the use of both hemispheres of the brain – the left side to plan what is being created and the right side to foster creativity.

Additionally, studies have shown that regularly engaging in creative activities can help reduce our chances of experiencing memory or thinking problems.

If your loved one is creative or wants to create a gift for family use gCheck out these easy arts and crafts ideas to do at home –

• Greeting Cards
• Painting
• Knitting
• Beaded bracelets

4. Word Puzzle

Word puzzles are a great way to entertain older adults and exercise their brains. It doesn't matter if they don't complete the puzzle; they'll still enjoy searching for words or trying to figure out the missing words, depending on the type of puzzle you choose.

Here are some popular word puzzles with seniors –

• Find words
• Crosswords
• Hanged Man
• Connecting words

5. Classic Chess Game

Chess is a strategy game that helps improve logical reasoning and problem solving skills in older players. Your loved one may be nervous about playing chess because it seems complicated at first.

However, once they get the hang of it, they can see huge benefits in just a few months, such as increased IQ and higher levels of concentration. If you have a chess set, you can play it directly with your loved ones to increase interaction.

6. Play bingo

Bingo is a game that has long been a favorite among seniors because it encourages social interaction. 

Although this is just a fun game, it also has some essential health benefits including

• Hearing:  listen to the numbers being called out
• Vision:  when looking for numbers on bingo cards
• Touch:  Use a pen or marker to mark the numbers.

7. Jigsaw Puzzle

Try completing a puzzle if you want to start with a simple activity to stimulate the mind. While this may seem basic, there are many benefits for your elderly loved one, such as slowing down breathing, which can help reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Jigsaw puzzles can also be a great distraction to help slow down a busy mind.

8. Special tasks to enhance memory and attention

Memory loss is one of the most common complaints in older adults, so engaging in some simple games is important to help improve memory and recall.

Consider the following games:

• List the months of the year in alphabetical order
• Observe the objects around you for two minutes, bring the item as requested
• Say two objects for each letter in your first or last name, stating different objects each time.

9. Card Matching

Matching games are a great way to boost your loved one's memory skills. The game can be played with friends or alone.

How to play card matching game:

• You will need a pack of cards
• Place the cards face down on the table.
• Select two cards to flip
• If these two cards are the same, you can try again to find more similar cards.
• If you fail, it's the other players turn.
• The winner is determined by the person with the most matching pairs.

10. Brain Yoga

You have probably heard of Yoga, but have you ever heard of Brain Yoga?

This is one of the easiest yet mentally challenging physical activities for older adults. It requires no equipment and can be done anywhere – it improves your motor skills (which in turn improves your neural pathways) and improves hand-eye coordination, which leads to increased mental performance.

Here is an example you might want to try:

• Hold your right fist with your right hand and raise your thumb up. Hold this position.
• Then, make a fist with your left hand and extend your little finger.
• Now try alternating between each hand.

The instructions may seem simple but you will find it quite complex. Stimulate the grey matter in your brain and gain muscle memory by trying this with different body parts.

Conclusion

Older adults can stimulate their brains to boost mental health and improve memory skills in a number of ways. It's just a matter of finding the activity that works best for each individual.

It is important to engage in these brain-stimulating activities as often as possible. Studies show that older adults can see benefits such as improved performance in daily tasks and increased memory with certain brain training games.

So take your time and make sure brain games are a top priority as part of your elderly loved one's daily routine.

On-site care

If you are having trouble finding time to full-time care for your loved one or they have a specific health condition that makes it difficult for you to continue caring for them, you may consider arranging a live-in caregiver.

Source elder.org