Brain Games & Puzzles Seniors Love to Keep the Mind Sharp

Keeping our minds sharp becomes a big priority as we get older. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun ways to exercise your mind. Here are some great brain games and puzzles that seniors love to keep your mind sharp!

Crossword Puzzles

If you love doing crossword puzzles, we have great news for you! In 2017, researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School and Kings College London found that people who regularly played word puzzles typically had better reasoning, memory, and attention. The link was so strong, the researchers estimated that when it came to the speed of grammatical reasoning and accuracy of short-term memory, those who played crossword puzzles performed at levels expected from people 10 years younger! 

So why not pick up a book of crossword puzzles on your next shopping trip, or try some online puzzles instead? It’s a great way to keep your mind sharp!

Online Games

There are loads of online games available that are designed to help strengthen your memory, attention, and reasoning. You can play them right on your phone, so it’s easy to get a game in while you’re on the go. And they’re great if you don’t like having a ton of physical games cluttering your apartment. Check into a few of these to get you started: 

• Fit Brains Trainer

• Brain Metrix

• Dakim

• Eidetic

• Lumosity

Jenga

Looking for a game to play with a group? Jenga is always a fun time. It takes strategy and reasoning to figure out which of the blocks you can pull out and still leave the structure standing. And yet, it’s simple enough to play with your grandkids, too. Plus, Jenga offers the additional benefit of exercising your eye-hand coordination. 

Mahjong

Mahjong is a tile-matching game that is frequently recommended for seniors. This brain game really gives your mind a workout, requiring you to use your memory, reasoning, and math skills all at once. It’s available as a physical version that has been enjoyed for centuries. But if you prefer to play online, there are online versions, too. It’s a perfect way to challenge your brain!

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are another old classic that many seniors love. They challenge both hemispheres of your brain, and you’ll need to be creative to solve them. Additionally, since some of the puzzles contain quite a lot of pieces, they can take a while to complete. That means you’ll challenge your brain to sustain its focus over time. But it’s OK if you need to work on your puzzle over several days or weeks, too. In the end, you’ll not only exercise your mind, but you’ll have a work of art, too!

Chess

Did you know that playing chess may protect your mind? It’s true! Scientists have learned that playing chess seems to be a protective factor that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia from developing. The game requires you to strategize and focus, so it’s wonderful for giving your brain a workout. Why not challenge a friend to a game of chess? You’ll both reap the benefits!

Keeping your mind sharp is important as you age. That’s why Normandy Living offers brain games and puzzles as part of our regular recreation schedule. For example, this week, you can try all day crossword puzzles on Sunday or join in our weekly board games on Tuesday. 

Not a resident yet? We’d love for you to join us! Click here to set up a meeting or book a tour.