Brain games are entertaining, but seniors with Parkinson’s can also receive many cognitive benefits by playing these games. Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the parts of the brain responsible for how seniors think, move, and feel, but playing certain games can slow the progression of the disease. Here are some brain games that are perfect for older adults with Parkinson’s.
1. Brain Yoga
Grasping objects is difficult for seniors with Parkinson’s, but playing games could boost their hand-eye coordination and help them analyze objects. Brain yoga is a mental task, but your senior loved one will also need to use his or her body to participate. The objective of this game is to enhance neural pathways, motor abilities, and hand-eye coordination. The game can also increase mental awareness. The different variations of playing brain yoga require using the toes, fingers, and arms, which promotes the development of muscle memory and stimulates grey matter in the brain.
2. Scrabble
Participating in this multiplayer game is great for socialization. Regular interaction and support are vital to seniors with Parkinson’s because many begin to withdraw from others as the disease progresses. They don’t want to feel needy, or they become embarrassed as their cognitive functions decrease. However, Scrabble is a fun game your parent can play with you, friends, and other family members. Your loved one will need to come up with words, which can strengthen his or her brain health and reduce cell damage.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful game-playing partner for a senior with Parkinson’s. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an elder care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
3. Bingo
Losing cognitive function can be challenging for seniors as Parkinson’s advances, but there are things they can do to slow the disease’s progression, like playing brain games such as bingo. The large cards used to play this game can increase cognition and motivate seniors to play other games, which is the stimulation the body and mind need. Listening to the numbers being called out and looking for the matches could keep your loved one mentally sharp.
4. Word Puzzles
These traditional brain games have been popular for years, and they do more than simply provide enjoyment for older adults. Word puzzles require using memory to find the right words within the puzzles. Your loved one will also need to use surrounding letters and words as clues, which can increase brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin and slow down changes to brain cells that are responsible for cognitive function.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable elderly home care. Tucson, AZ, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
5. Computer Games
Although video games have a negative reputation among many people, playing computer-based games can be a form of therapy for seniors with Parkinson’s. The movement and mind techniques required to play these games can increase balance and gait and reduce the risk of slips, falls, and head traumas. Moving the body to control the systems can ease many of the functional impairments associated with the disease. Choose fun computer-based games that keep your loved one intrigued and eager to play.
Mobility and cognitive issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s can make caring for aging adults with the disease increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Tucson, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (520) 276-6555 today.