Best Board Games for Mental Stimulation
July 12, 2024
Like the body, the mind has to be exercised to stay in shape. Your elderly loved one may enjoy watching endless episodes of their favorite sitcom, but watching television doesn’t do enough to stimulate the brain. It can also prove to be socially isolating, in the end causing feelings of loneliness and depression.
An easy way to break the pattern of too much TV is to introduce a game time for your loved one. Board games are a great way to have fun and keep the brain exercised. They also don’t require a lot of physical activity so if your loved one has limited ability to be active, a board game or two might be just what he needs.
Board games are also a great way to keep busy on those days when your loved one can’t get outside due to the weather. While we often think about enjoying the out-of-doors on nice summer days, summer also presents some days that are too hot to go out or are rainy all day long, making a little time indoors with a board game a great alternative.
Playing board games has several wonderful health benefits for your elderly loved one as well.
- Improved cognitive health. Even the simplest of board games require the people playing to remember steps (whose turn is it next?), count spaces (move the peg up five spaces), and follow the rules. All of these seem like normal daily brain functions but without continual practice, the brain slowly forgets how to do them. A simple board game now and then can keep those functions fresh.
- A boosted mood. It’s hard to not have fun while playing a game. Silly games can help spur laughter, which is one of the best treatments for depression and anger. Laughter releases endorphins which lower blood pressure, relax the muscles, and even boost the immune system.
- Lessens loneliness. Finding someone to play a board game with can reduce those feelings of loneliness even after the game is over. A companion care at home provider is the perfect person to play a board game with your loved one when family isn’t available. You can help your loved one plan game times for when his companion care at home provider is visiting so they’ll have the time to play.
Let’s look at some fun board game options for your loved one to enjoy. Some of these can be played alone, while others require someone to play with your loved one like his companion care at home provider. And this is just a short list. There are hundreds of board games out there to choose from. Look for games that are easy to learn and don’t require a huge time commitment to play. Also, look for games that are easily replayed without boredom.
- Backgammon. This classic game has just a few rules and can be set up just about anywhere. It’s a one-on-one game making it perfect to play with a visiting guest.
- Puzzles. Puzzles are great games for when people are gone. They keep your loved one’s brain exercised by having it search for shapes and sizes that fit the pieces.
- Classic games like Monopoly or Life. While these games are a bit longer, they can be fun to play when several guests come over for a visit and often older children can play along as well.
- Silly games. Funny games like Cards Against Humanity, Three Things, and Apples to Apples will boost your loved one’s spirits.
If you or your loved one is looking for Companion Care at Home in Santa Clara, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
Santa Clara County: (408) 979-9990
San Mateo County: (650) 353-9777
Santa Cruz County: (831) 480-3990