The Best Brain Games for Arizona Seniors

Category: Alzheimer's | Memory Care

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as one in 10 American adults who are 45 or older report having some degree of cognitive decline. Luckily, worsening cognitive decline can be delayed, and your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease reduced by taking care of your cardiovascular health, eating healthily, exercising, and keeping your mind active and engaged.

Keep reading to learn about the best kinds of brain games for seniors to keep their brains healthy.

What Are the Best Brain Games for Seniors?

When it comes to games for seniors, there are quite a few options to choose from, such as:

Knowledge-Based Games

According to Dr. Wint, who was interviewed by the Cleveland Clinic, allowing your brain to become stagnant by not engaging with new information and ideas can “eventually lead to regression, which is where the danger comes in.” This is why he recommends learning new things, such as an instrument, a new language, signing up for a class, learning to cook a new dish, or learning to play knowledge-based games.

Examples of knowledge-based games include:

  • Trivia games
  • Scrabble
  • Charades
  • Certain video games
  • Boggle

Certain Video Games May Help With Memory

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), researchers discovered in one study that people between the ages of 60-80 who were exposed to the three-dimensional and “novel” environments in the video game Super Mario™ displayed consistently improved recognition memory. This study displayed that video games that expose the player to new environments in a three-dimensional setting could improve cognitive impairments, specifically concerning memory. This can be especially true for seniors who are homebound and struggle to be exposed to new environments. So, here’s your excuse to play 30-40 minutes of Super Mario™ a day.

Another group playing the video game Angry Birds™ also experienced some improvements, but after two weeks, improvements ceased. This may indicate that two-dimensional games can improve memory but in a limited capacity. Therefore, if these types of games are enjoyable to you, try to enjoy them in moderation, and switch to a different game every couple of weeks to keep yourself challenged.

Crossword Puzzles

Despite what the random guy at the grocery store may have told you, the majority of those “paid brain-training” programs you can find online are not recommended by the majority of healthcare teams, according to the Mayo Clinic. These types of games tend to prioritize memorization skills, which are not very applicable to everyday life, nor do they do much to strengthen the brain.

The Mayo Clinic recommends cheaper and more effective ways of strengthening your brain, such as reading or playing memory games. One of the most cost-effective and medically recommended games to play is crossword puzzles.

Sudoku

The Mayo Clinic also recommends the numbers puzzle game Sudoku, which can improve memory and problem-solving skills.

Bonus tip: The Mayo Clinic also recommends not watching too much television, as watching television is a passive activity that fails to properly stimulate the brain.

Playing Cards

According to the Mayo Clinic, alternating between different kinds of brain activities is a good way to increase effectiveness as it keeps your brain challenged. Playing cards with friends is a good way to keep your mind engaged and challenge yourself with strategy, while also enjoying some socialization.

Benefits of Brain Games

Benefits of brain games for seniors may include:

Preventing Cognitive Decline

Per the Cleveland Clinic, challenging the brain through different puzzles, challenges, and learning new things encourages new cell growth while simultaneously preventing regression.

Improved Memory

Playing memory games that require you to remember things is a fun way to strengthen that part of your brain. You know what they say? Practice makes perfect.

A Fun Way To Socialize

According to the Cleveland Clinic, socializing is another way to keep the brain healthy, as conversing is considered good “brain exercise.” Having a conversation while playing a game can be a double whammy brain challenge as you’ll have to pay attention to the game while simultaneously interpreting verbal and visual cues from your playmates.

May Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

Certain video games or trivia games, where you have to draw or keep score, may assist seniors in maintaining better hand-eye coordination in their elder years.

What To Do if You or a Loved One Is Concerned About Memory

Any time you’re concerned about your memory or a loved one’s memory, you should discuss this with your or their doctor to eliminate any possible underlying causes. This can be a difficult conversation to have but a necessary one.

Consider Memory Care at Haven Health

Whether you’re looking for memory care services, or an assisted living facility to look after you or a loved one who may be beginning to show signs of cognitive decline, Haven Health is here to help. Haven Health in Arizona offers skilled nursing services, 24-hour supervision (if necessary), memory care, and assisted living services all in one location.

Becoming forgetful and/or losing your memory is at the top of most people’s list of what they fear most about getting older. Fortunately, by taking care of your physical health, and taking care of your brain by staying engaged and playing some of the above games, you can delay issues with memory and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. So, play on.

Have you been looking for skilled nursing care in Arizona? Contact Haven Health today to learn about our extensive skilled nursing services.

Sources:

Cognitive Health and Caregiving. (2024).
6 Tips to Keep Your Brain Healthy. (2022).
6 Ways to Improve Your Brain Health. (2025).
Video Games Show Potential in Improving Key Aspects of Memory in Older Adults. (2020).