Memory Stimulating Activities for Seniors

Like exercising our bodies, exercising our minds is just as important as we age. Seniors who engage in memory-stimulating activities regularly have a greater chance of strengthening their cognitive abilities and keeping memory disorders at bay. What’s great is It’s not hard to incorporate these activities into anyone’s daily schedule. And the best part is: they’re fun to do! With that being said, our memory care advisors in Morris County, NJ have put together a list of some memory stimulating activities to keep senior minds sharp.

Trivia: With a variety of topics to choose from, trivia never loses its novelty. Playing different topics like music, history, movies and current events can do two important things for seniors. For one, it can help them tap into different parts of the brain to recall the answers. And the second, it can strengthen short-term memory by giving them something new to learn (we’ll expand more on this later). Not to mention, trivia is also a great way to gather with friends and socialize – which we do a lot of at JCHC’s Lester Senior Living. At Lester, we hold group trivia sessions every week that all of our residents are welcome to participate in.

Sudoku: If you haven’t heard of Sudoku and are good with numbers, you’re really missing out!  This game works by filling in a 9 by 9 grid using the numbers 1 to 9, never using them more than once vertically, horizontally or within the 3 by 3 subgrids. Sudoku is a great way to practice patience and strengthen pattern recognition. If you or a loved one is looking to play, you can find Sudoku puzzles in your local newspaper, online, or you could purchase a Sudoku book filled with puzzles ranging from easy to difficult.

Crossword puzzles: There’s nothing like a good ol’ crossword puzzle with your morning coffee. These puzzles help a ton with memory recollection and your problem solving skills. Just like trivia, there are many different themes to choose from like sports, science, entertainment and art – to name a few. Alongside Sudoku, crossword puzzles can also be found in your local newspaper or you can download the Crossword app to your smartphone or tablet for free.

Arts and crafts: One of the best memory-stimulating activities that seniors can take part in are arts and crafts. Keeping their hands busy helps to maintain dexterity, and being able to explore their creativity supports the imaginative parts of the brain. This activity is a win-win because seniors could also use it as an opportunity to make unique, handmade gifts for their friends and family.

Learn a New Skill: As we’ve mentioned earlier, learning a new skill is key to keeping your memory sharp. At Lester Senior Living, we encourage memory care residents to attend guest lectures, enroll in different classes and clubs, and read new books in our community library. All of these activities support the brain in creating new neurological connections.

Memory support in our senior community in Morris County

Lester Senior Living has a designated unit to care and treat those with Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses. Our professional staff on-site are available at all hours of the day to assist memory care residents and provide many opportunities to engage in memory-stimulating activities. Our specialized facility also offers dementia-friendly apartments with 24-hour supervision in a beautiful, suburban setting in local Morris County.

To find out more about memory care in Morris County, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org

 

Original blog is available on: https://jchcorp.org/memory-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Does Supported Independent Living Mean for Seniors?

Image
It comes as no surprise that seniors would like to remain independent for as long as possible. However, this is only feasible when they have the right supports in place. At Lester Senior Living, our independent seniors have the opportunity each day to explore our community as they please. They wake when refreshed and eat when they are hungry, and the only schedule they follow is the one they created themselves. The best part is that support services are readily available if needed to ensure they stay active within our community. In this article, our senior caregivers in Morris County will demonstrate what independent living with support looks like in our community.   Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living in NJ  The independent living apartments and assisted living apartments are located in two different buildings separated by the main lobby. While residents from both of these distinctions can come together for meals, fitness classes, movie nights a...
Read more

Making Meals More Enjoyable for Your Loved One with Dementia

Image
Mealtime can be a challenging experience for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. As the day progresses and the sun starts to set, older adults with dementia may experience increased confusion, agitation, and anxiety—a phenomenon known as sundowning syndrome. The difficulties that come with sundowning can make it even tougher for both the senior and their caregiver to enjoy meal times together. However, with patience, understanding, and some practical strategies, it’s possible to make meals more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here are some invaluable tips provided by caregivers from our  professional memory care program in Morris County, NJ :  Create a Comfortable Space Just like dressing your best to feel your best, it’s important to set the stage for a pleasant meal in order to actually have a pleasant meal. Create a calm and familiar environment free from distractions. Dim the lights slightly to reduce glare, turn off noisy TVs or music players, and if the weather ...
Read more

How Seniors Can Avoid Heat Exhaustion

Image
  We love the sun, but we hate the heat! Being that it’s summer in NJ, we’ll be sure to see our share of heat waves. Exposure to extreme heat can result in heat-related illnesses, especially for seniors. Their bodies are less able to regulate their temperatures and cool themselves. When our bodies heat rapidly or when we lose fluids due to perspiration or dehydration, common conditions are cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. In some cases, hyperthermia (absorbing more heat than our bodies can handle) is fatal.  Warning signs of heat-related illnesses Heat exhaustion is characterized as dehydration due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The main symptoms include muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, fatigue and confusion. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related condition. Heat stroke is dehydration coupled with the body physically overheating and unable to bring down its own temperature. The most obvious sign is a body temperature of 104° or higher. Other sympto...
Read more