Companion Care: How Brain Games Help Seniors in Murrieta, CA and the Surrounding Area
Are you aware that “brain games”, such as chess or bridge have been shown to help keep seniors minds sharp? Research has shown that these kinds of fun, challenging, and engaging types of activities have had a significant impact of mental function, especially in when it comes to our growing seniors. Similarly, puzzles and games can add the added bonus of social and emotional benefits. Here at Visiting Angels, we offer a companion care program that can help involve your loved one in engaging activities like word puzzles, board games, or jigsaw puzzles.
Here are four ways brain games can improve cognitive function and overall well-being for seniors:
1. Brain Games May Help Seniors Advance their Thinking Skills
The mind may slow down in minor ways as part of the normal aging process. Signs of decline include:
- Slipping of memory
- Suffering planning skills
- Lacking in vocabulary
- Reduced processing skills
- Slower reaction skills
Participating in these games like these can help prevent normal age-related mental decline similar to the effect exercise has on preventing losing muscle. Many aging adults, particularly those who are retired, no longer use their mind like they once did when they were younger. Brain games are a positive and interactive way to combat this cognitive decline while also engaging the mind and improving thinking skills. Companion care caregivers are always keeping an eye out for you loved one to make sure that they are acting like themselves and in a good head space.
Research has shown that frequently changing the games play is very important. Participating in familiar games consistently may not have the same effect on your loved one as the effect from mastering a new one. When you use our companion care option, you can rest assured that your loved one is never growing stagnant with brain games; their caregiver will always be there to help make sure they are engaged in fulfilling activities.
2. Brain Games May Have a Positive Social and Emotional Impact
Stress and anxiety are both common experiences that many seniors go through; games can be a positive coping activity to help combat these experiences. By refocusing the mind on how to checkmate an opponent or complete a puzzle can lead to reducing one’s stress and daily anxieties. Many seniors tend to also find these kind of games and puzzles to be relaxing and enjoyable; they are able to incorporate these activities into a calm, and predictable routine—such as working on a puzzle or word puzzle after dinner. Companion care caregivers are always available to make sure that there is time in your loved one’s schedule to engage in brain games.
Brain games are a socialization tool for seniors; older adults can tend to become isolated from their communities as they age, which can lead to them suffering from senior loneliness and depression. Seniors are able to push themselves away from this by participating in group gatherings like chess club, a card night with friends, or working with a group on a jigsaw puzzle. Meeting with groups to participate on brain games and activities will help keep your senior engrain in their community while also improving their mood and thinking skills.
3. Brain Games Can Help Seniors Connect with Loved Ones
Games may provide an opportunity to connect with family members, such as grandchildren who enjoy riddles or adult children who enjoy crossword puzzles or chess.
Many of these brain engaging activities can be played online, which provides even more opportunity for connections. Even if you and your family are not able to physically be there to play with your senior, you can still login online to play and socialize together. This is an incredibly beneficial options during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your loved one is needing assistance with setting up online gaming, a companion care caregiver will be able to help them out.
4. Learning a New Skill May Provide Health and Wellness Benefits
While brain games are one way to keep the mind healthy and engaged, there are other ways to also do this. Experts has shown that learning a new hobby, like photography, or language are other beneficial ways to keep the mind working. When your loved one finds a new, enjoyable, and challenging hobby they are able to challenge their mind while mastering the hobby and keeping their mind young.
Physical exercise is another way to combat the age-related mental and physical, decline. When your loved one is being physically active they are boosting the blood flow to their brain while also keeping their mind and body in shape. Companion care caregivers can tag along on walks or go to the gym with your loved one.
Find out more about our companion care services and how our team of local, dedicated, and compassionate caregivers can help your loved one be engaged in games, or other mental focus activities to help boost their cognitive function, physical health and well-being.
If you want more information about companion care from Visiting Angels call 951-639-5949.