5 Brain-Boosting Games for Seniors with Parkinson’s

Having an active lifestyle can boost cognitive health in seniors with Parkinson’s, allowing them to maintain a high quality of life. Playing games can keep their mental and physical health in good shape and increase their happiness. Here are some of the best brain games for seniors with Parkinson’s and the benefits of each activity.

1. Boggle

Seniors living with Parkinson’s often process information more slowly than those who haven’t developed the neurodegenerative disorder. However, playing Boggle can increase processing speed and allow seniors to respond at a faster rate, which is good for boosting confidence, and it could motivate them to interact more instead of becoming isolated from family, friends, and the community. Although Parkinson’s is a movement disorder, the disease can lead to the development of memory impairment, and playing Boggle is good for brain stimulation.

A professional caregiver can be a wonderful game-playing partner for a senior with Parkinson’s. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Las Vegas, a leading provider of in-home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

2. Music Trivia

Family caregivers need to incorporate music into the daily lives of their loved ones, and music trivia is one way to accomplish this task. Play music and have your parent guess the name of the song. While listening to the music, your loved one may be more inclined to move his or her muscles or even get up and dance. Music therapy is suitable for seniors with Parkinson’s because it can enhance their gait, balance, and coordination. Music trivia can stimulate the mind while providing a laugh or two.

3. Video Games

Regardless of what gaming system your loved one chooses to play, most systems include a series of logical puzzles that require players to concentrate and focus on the levels they’re playing. Promoting hand exercises is easier when you present your loved one with entertaining activities such as video games. Handling the controls can increase dexterity along with hand and wrist strength. Most video games can be played online with other users, allowing your loved one to have the interaction he or she needs to reduce the risk of depression, which is common in older adults living with Parkinson’s.

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. Las Vegas, NV, families trust Assisting Hands Home Care 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.

4. Crossword Puzzles

Solving crossword puzzles can keep your loved one’s mind focused on something other than the limitations he or she has due to Parkinson’s. Mind exercises like crossword puzzles are fun, challenging, and purposeful activities. Finding ways to increase your loved one’s attention levels is vital because better focus can lower the risk of confusion in the evening hours, stave off dizziness, and prevent dementia, among other problems associated with Parkinson’s. There are crossword puzzles you can download for your loved one online, or you can purchase puzzle books from a local retailer. 

5. Chess

Boosting mental wellbeing and brain health is essential to maintaining cognitive abilities. Most people avoid playing chess because they feel as if they’re not smart enough. However, your loved one can start at a comfortable pace and build skills over time, boosting his or her confidence and providing a sense of control. Another benefit of chess is that it strengthens the muscles in the hands, which can reduce tremors. 

Mobility limitations and cognitive issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Las Vegas, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands Home Care, 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. Whether your parent needs hourly or live-in care, give us a call at 702-919-0231 today.