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Activity for elderly to engage the mind

Posted by Bill @bilton, Aug 31, 2019

My father is 88 yrs old. He has limited mobility and some time gets a little confused. We live in a small town with limited resources or activities. He is mainly at home and watches TV most of the day. His doctor suggested he find some activities he can do during the day to keep his mind engaged, such as chess, checkers, games, puzzles, ect. I know he can't play chess and since he is at home most of the time limited social contact. Does anyone has and age appropriate suggestions, ideas,website, resources or activities he can do ?

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 24, 2019
In reply to @momkids "I came across a web site www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband..." + (show)
@momkids

I came across a web site http://www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband who has bvFDT. I took pictures of things that are important in his life and downloaded them to this web site and they make really great puzzles out of them and they arrived in just a few days and are not costly at all. There a multiple choices. I chose the 30 piece puzzle; the pieces are large; about 4" inches over all. Once he gets done playing with them I intend to glue them to a sturdy background board that I purchased at Wal-Mart and hang them on the wall in his room at the care facility he lives in. They will be his Christmas gifts.

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@momkids What a neat idea! Perhaps, as he is doing the puzzle, you can engage him in talking about stories about that person, remembering things.
Ginger

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Nov 25, 2019
In reply to @momkids "I came across a web site www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband..." + (show)
@momkids

I came across a web site http://www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband who has bvFDT. I took pictures of things that are important in his life and downloaded them to this web site and they make really great puzzles out of them and they arrived in just a few days and are not costly at all. There a multiple choices. I chose the 30 piece puzzle; the pieces are large; about 4" inches over all. Once he gets done playing with them I intend to glue them to a sturdy background board that I purchased at Wal-Mart and hang them on the wall in his room at the care facility he lives in. They will be his Christmas gifts.

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Hi @momkids - Thanks for the great idea. I bookmarked the page. I'm going to use it for a Christmas gift for my husband too. Does your husband have a favorite?

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virginianaeve | @virginianaeve | Nov 26, 2019

Hi! I understand that your father doesn't really have dementia, (my mom did) but one thing she loved was going through old photos and putting them in albums. This can be a 'together' activity, or just him at a table. With Alzheimer's, she never got tired of looking at the same pictures over and over. Each time was a new experience! Still, your father may enjoy doing this. Good luck!

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Nov 27, 2019
In reply to @momkids "I came across a web site www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband..." + (show)
@momkids

I came across a web site http://www.portraitpuzzles.com that I used to provide activities for my husband who has bvFDT. I took pictures of things that are important in his life and downloaded them to this web site and they make really great puzzles out of them and they arrived in just a few days and are not costly at all. There a multiple choices. I chose the 30 piece puzzle; the pieces are large; about 4" inches over all. Once he gets done playing with them I intend to glue them to a sturdy background board that I purchased at Wal-Mart and hang them on the wall in his room at the care facility he lives in. They will be his Christmas gifts.

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@momkids I just love the idea of the portrait puzzles! I ordered ones for my grandchildren right away! Thank you

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Dec 1, 2019

@bilton I’m just wondering if you have found any ways to help your dad occupy his time?

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ashridgehomecare | @ashridgehomecare | Jan 28, 2020

Memory games for elderly adults can be not only interesting and entertaining, but can also improve memory, daily life skills, and overall mental health.

Exercising the mind to keep it active is as important as maintaining physical fitness and strength in older age. Throughout our lives, our brain is responsible for keeping us happy, and, as we get older, mental health is often a major part of being able to live independently.

To ensure that the brain works as best as it can, the mind needs to be challenged every day. Thankfully, exercising the mind can be fun and easy to do thanks to quick games, tasks and activities that can be enjoyed anywhere and by anyone.

Logic puzzles are an exciting activity designed to test a person’s ability to use information provided to them, and come up with a logical answer. Logic puzzles allow you to think outside the box, create new solutions, and can also help to solidify memories.

Logic puzzles are ideal for older people since they enable lateral thinking and can help to fire up neural pathways that have likely been dormant since retiring. You can find logic puzzle books online, or in most good book stores.

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Ellen | @helenfrances | May 4, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @dwicks, Does your father have a camera and like bird watching? I'm 76 and have..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @dwicks, Does your father have a camera and like bird watching? I'm 76 and have a good friend that is 89 that I visit and have coffee with him. His kitchen has a window overlooking his back yard and he has bird feeders fairly close to the house. It's something that brings him a little joy to see the varieties of birds. He even bought a birds of Minnesota book so he can identify them.

Here are a few links that may offer some additional ideas...

7 Mind Stimulating Activities & Cognitive Games for Seniors
-- https://www.sonashomehealth.com/activities-for-the-mind/

Brain Games for the Elderly That Improve Mental Health and Memory
-- https://supercarers.com/blog/games-for-elderly/

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Every ‘elder’ should have such a kind friend like you!

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