What Are Some Simple Games That Can Stimulate Memory in a Dementia Care Home?
Your loved one may be dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia while living in memory care. Yet, they can still be able to participate in regular activities that can help spark memory, bring joy, and even create social opportunities. There are some simple games that your loved one can enjoy on a regular basis so they feel more engaged, connected, and empowered. In a memory care setting, it is important for them to be able to engage in regular activities so they have that sense of belonging as well as the confidence of being themselves amid their memory-related conditions.
There are plenty that staff members plan and put together regularly for your loved one and others.
Why Games Are Good To Have in Memory Care?
Games are great for many reasons. Your loved one can play them as a way to interact, move around, and stimulate their cognitive functions. If your loved one is dealing with memory challenges, these activities can provide them with benefits such as:
- Stimulating memory recall
- Encouraging fine motor skills
- Maintaining attention span and focus
- Strengthening bonds between your friends, care staff, and family
More importantly, these activities are simple, familiar, and adaptable to each ability level. Meaning your loved one can participate in games that are a good fit for their own ability level while being able to have fun because it’s simple to do and familiar to them.
Classic Card & Board Games
These games are by far one of the best for your loved one in memory care. The reason for that is that they can be great for effective memory support. Most card games are less complex and easy to play such as:
- Matching or concentration: Using cards, your loved one can flip them over to find pairs. The game itself is great for focus and recall.
- Dominoes: This features matching colors, numbers, or patterns. It can be great as a solo game that is soothing for your loved one or perfect for social opportunities when they play with a friend.
- Large-print playing cards: Games like a simplified version of Rummy or Go Fish using large-print playing cards may be an excellent idea as well. With large fonts and bright colors, these playing cards are great for accessibility purposes.
What makes these games great is that it features sorting, pairing, and playing in a group. Your loved one will find it stimulating and even very rewarding. In memory care communities, card and board games are the tried and true types where anyone can participate.
Word & Memory Recall Games
Even language-based games can be enjoyable for your loved one. That’s because one of the major benefits is that it can spark memory. These games include the following:
- Finish the Phrase: Your senior loved one will say a common phrase like “Every day is a good day for…” and someone can complete it.
- Song lyric recall: Kind of like “Name That Tune.” However, it’s a familiar song where part of the song plays and the participants guess the next line (whether it’s speaking or singing it). Music is known to be embedded in long-term memory.
- Alphabet categories: Pick a theme like “animals,” “food,” and take turns naming one that starts with a letter. For example “A” would be “apple” or “antelope”. Then “B” would be for “bunny” or “brisket”. Your loved one might have a lot of fun with this one.
Sensory & Hands-On Activities
In memory care, sensory-rich activities can be a major part of your loved one’s day. These games that involve touch and movement will be great for multiple sensory engagement. Such games include but are not limited to the following:
- Puzzle building: These include large-piece puzzles that can feature things like nature scenes, historical landmarks, and nostalgic images to name a few.
- Sorting game: Colorful blocks, themed objects, or even buttons can be used to sort them in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
- Tactile memory bags: These feature small bags that you can fill with familiar objects. Your loved one can reach in the back and guess what’s inside using their sense of touch.
Want Your Senior Loved One to Experience Enjoyment and Maintain Their Quality of Life? Move Them to The Brennity Memory Care at Daphne
The Brennity at Daphne always makes sure that your loved one engages in regular activities that spark joy and social engagement. Even if memory challenges are part of their day, they can still be able to enjoy themselves by playing these stimulating games that can help improve their quality of life and more. To set up a tour of our community, contact us today.
