Fun Memory-Enhancing Games to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Advertisement.

grandparents playing a game with their grandson — ^{blackCAT / Getty Images}

Is there a senior in your life who is struggling with their memory? Are you looking for ways to help them without resorting to drugs or over-the-counter remedies? Fortunately, there are countless fun and easy memory games perfect for seniors to help jog their memory!

Advertisement.

How Can Memory Games Help My Loved One?

Memory games can help seniors in different ways. They help boost cognitive skills, function, and dexterity. Games help keep the brain active. Additionally, they help with socialization when playing with others, which also contributes to less depression and anxiety. They also help with retaining information and remembering it later. Other benefits include enhanced problem-solving skills, better emotional health, and helping delay the onset of dementia.

What are Some Good Memory Games?

riends playing cards outside, senior socialization — ^{Getty Images}

Simon Says

You can play this classic game in a group or one-on-one. You choose someone to be the leader and the other person or people to follow. However, instructions have to be given after saying, “Simon Says.” For example, “Simon says, touch your nose.” Kids and grandkids will love playing this classic game with you.

Advertisement.

Memory

Break out your old classic Memory game and give your brain a workout. If you don’t have the classic game, you can play this with a normal deck of cards. Place all the cards face down in rows and then flip two over to see if they match. If they do, take them out of the game and keep going until there are no pairs left. Seniors can play this game by themselves or with another person.

Switch It Up

This is more of an exercise than a game, having seniors do things with their non-dominant hand or foot. This helps them use both parts of their brain and improves body function, brain health, and cognitive function.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles help seniors build concentration, problem-solving skills, and fine motor skills. Big puzzles with lots of pieces work well to keep seniors engaged, give the brain a workout, and help with dexterity, as well.

Check out these puzzles:

Advertisement.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is great for people with dementia because they respond to it well. These patients keep musical memories because areas of the brain that harbor musical memories are usually untouched by the disease. So play some music from their era or a few tunes on an instrument for them to enjoy.

Sudoku Puzzles

This form of advanced brain training can be completed either online or in a paper book. If your loved one likes numbers, they will like this game while passing the time and building cognitive skills.

Bingo

This classic game helps with memory and focus while spending time with loved ones and friends. This game has many variations, and you can play it at home or with friends.

Get the Regal Bingo Deluxe Bingo Game Set for $22.99*!

Brainteasers

Brainteasers like riddles and logic puzzles help with problem-solving skills and critical thinking and also memory. Look for puzzles that are challenging but not impossible for seniors, so they feel a sense of accomplishment and not frustration when they are done.

Advertisement.

Wii Sports

Several years ago, the Wii by Nintendo was very popular. We had one at our house and had a blast playing games on it. We spent Saturday nights virtually bowling, skiing, and heading soccer balls. The sports game for this console are user-friendly and great for improving memory. Sports you can take part in include golf, bowling, and other activities that help memory, and coordination, and encourage older people to get up and move. Seniors need to stay active. If you can find a Wii console, pick it up and get ready to have lots of fun with the senior in your life one-on-one and as a family.

Storytelling Circle

This is kind of like the old phone line game where someone whispers something to someone and they tell it to the next person and then the next person. The second person has to remember what the first person said.

In this version, gather a group of friends or family and have someone start the first sentence of a story. From there, the next person adds a few more lines to the story, and so on around the circle. Your senior family member has to remember what was said. This game will help with their memory, encourage their listening skills, and allow them to express their creativity.

Recipe Recall

Seniors love trips down memory lane and if the senior in your life loves cooking, they will love this game. Choose a recipe they have made and ask them to tell you the ingredients and how to make it. This will not only help stretch their memory but also allow them to tell cherished stories and memories.

Name That Tune

Music and memories go hand in hand, so choose some old tunes that the senior in your life will recognize. Songs by their favorite artist or a specific time period. You can also choose tunes that are significant to an event in their lives, like a song played at their wedding or the first song they danced to with the love of their life.

Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a classic way to give the brain a workout. Seniors will enjoy trying to recall facts and vocabulary as they fill out those classic boxes. They can do these alone or pair up with a friend for even more fun.

Get a 3-in-1 crossword puzzle for $16.19*!

Do You Remember?

Have some fun reminiscing with seniors in your life. Choose a topic like their first school dance or high school graduation or how you met your first love and let them tell you about it. This will help stretch their memory and you will get to hear some fun and interesting stories about their life.

Advertisement.

More Memory-Boosting Resources

3D Illustration of pink human brain running on treadmill belt. Training your brain and mental health concept. — ^{Image Credit: OsakaWayne Studios | Getty Images}

There are different memory games for those who like to play with friends or prefer some quiet time alone to relax and enjoy themselves. Talk to the senior in your life about what ways interest them in improving their memory and help them get started today.