Brain Games for Alzheimer’s

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Games boost cognitive function by improving memory, problem-solving, and attention. Let’s explore the top choices for Alzheimer’s, including board games, card games, and apps.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, games can stimulate the brain and improve memory, problem-solving, and attention. As a caregiver, you can support your loved one by exploring and selecting games that align with their needs.

Let’s explore these games, their benefits, and where you can find them.

Brain games for Alzheimer’s disease

Participating in activities that challenge the mind, body, and social skills is linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Research shows that games, including board games and video games, can help individuals with early and middle-stage dementia by providing cognitive stimulation and maintaining skills such as memory and problem-solving.

Games also promote engagement and social interaction, which are essential for emotional well-being and can be tailored to address specific symptoms of dementia.

Games on mobile

Games on mobile phones are helpful for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease because they provide easy access to cognitive stimulation and can be played anytime and anywhere.

Lumosity

Lumosity is a brain-training app designed to enhance cognitive skills through a variety of engaging games and exercises.

It focuses on improving areas like memory, attention, problem-solving, and language skills by offering personalized training programs based on individual performance. Users can track their progress and receive feedback on their cognitive abilities.

Lumosity: Brain Training is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Blackbox

The Blackbox app is a unique puzzle game that challenges your problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

Unlike traditional games where you tap the screen to interact, Blackbox uses your iPhone’s features like motion sensors, volume buttons, and the microphone to solve puzzles. Each level presents a different challenge, requiring you to think “outside the box.”

For example, you might need to tilt your phone, change the volume, or even speak into the microphone to complete a puzzle.

Blackbox is available on iPhone devices.

Scrabble GO

Scrabble GO is a mobile game that modernizes the classic word game Scrabble, allowing players to form words on a game board and compete with others online.

The game stimulates brain areas involved in language, problem-solving, and memory. Regular play can enhance vocabulary, improve spelling skills, and promote cognitive flexibility as players adapt their strategies and think critically about word placements.

Scrabble GO is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Words with Friends

Words with Friends is a mobile word game similar to Scrabble, in which players take turns forming words on a game board to score points.

The game can help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by providing cognitive stimulation, enhancing language skills, and encouraging social interaction, which may improve mental health and delay cognitive decline.

Words with Friends is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Wordle

Wordle is a word puzzle game where players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word, receiving feedback on letter placement and correctness after each guess.

The game boosts cognition by enhancing problem-solving skills, vocabulary, and spelling. It encourages pattern recognition and strategic thinking as players use feedback to refine guesses and develop winning strategies.

Wordle is available on the New York Times website.

Candy Crush Saga

Candy Crush is a popular puzzle game where players match three or more candies in a row to clear them from the board and score points. This game may help individuals with dementia by offering engaging tasks that improve focus, visual-spatial skills, and short-term memory.

Candy Crush Saga is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Cookie Run: Kingdom

Cookie Run: Kingdom is a mobile game where players build and manage a kingdom made up of cookie characters. You collect and upgrade different cookie heroes, each with unique abilities, to defend your kingdom and complete various challenges.

The game requires players to carefully manage their resources (like money, materials, or characters) while engaging in combat or battles. This requires critical thinking and decision making, which can help keep the brain active and engaged.

Cookie Run: Kingdom is available on both iPhone and Android devices.

Hard copy game books

Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients can buy various types of cognitive stimulation books, including:

• Crossword puzzles: These books challenge memory and problem-solving skills. They are available in different difficulty levels.
• Sudoku: Number puzzles that enhance logical thinking and concentration.
• Word searches: These puzzles help with visual scanning and word recognition.
• Brain teasers: Books with a variety of puzzles that stimulate different cognitive functions.

These books can be found in bookstores like Barnes & Noble, online retailers such as Amazon, or in specialty stores that offer senior care products. Additionally, many libraries offer a selection of these types of books.

Physical games

Physical games, like jigsaw puzzles and board games, offer cognitive stimulation through problem-solving and strategy. Handling game pieces also helps maintain motor skills and provides sensory stimulation, supporting overall cognitive and emotional health.

One study found that playing games, including board games, card games, and other interactive activities, can improve cognitive function and reduce depression symptoms in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment.

Participants who engaged in game training for 50 minutes three times a week showed significant improvements in memory and mood compared to those who only received regular care.

Jigsaw puzzles

Research shows that jigsaw puzzles can benefit older adults by engaging multiple cognitive abilities, including perception, mental rotation, and working memory. Long-term experience with jigsaw puzzles is linked to better overall cognitive health.

These puzzles can be found at toy stores, bookstores, online retailers, and specialty shops that offer products for cognitive stimulation.

Board games

Board games stimulate the brain, enhance memory, and improve mood, which may help delay cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

People with Alzheimer’s can benefit from these board games:

• Connect Four: A simple game of strategy that involves dropping colored discs into a grid.
• Checkers: Improves strategic thinking and concentration.
• Memory matching games: Boosts memory and recognition.
• Jenga: Encourages fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Dominoes: Promotes visual recognition and matching skills.
• Guess Who?: Aids in improving questioning skills and memory.

You can find these games at retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, as well as in specialty stores for senior care. Many are also available at local toy stores and some libraries.

Dice games

Dice games enhance strategic thinking, memory, and math skills. Players must plan their moves, remember past rolls, and calculate scores, which stimulates cognitive processes.

Some popular dice games include:

• Yahtzee: Players roll dice to match specific combinations for points.
• Farkle: Involves rolling dice to score based on combinations.
• Liar’s dice: A bluffing game where players bid on dice outcomes.
• Catan dice game: A dice version of “Catan,” focusing on resource management.
• Qwixx: Players mark numbers on a score sheet based on dice rolls.

You can find dice games at toy stores, retail shops (online and brick-and-mortar), and bookstores.

Card games

Card games can benefit people with dementia by providing cognitive stimulation through memory, strategy, and pattern recognition. They also encourage social interaction and can be adapted to various levels of cognitive ability.

Some suitable card games include:

• Uno: Simple rules and colorful cards make it easy to understand.
• Go Fish: Helps with memory and matching skills.
• Crazy Eights: A straightforward game with basic strategy and matching.
• Old Maid: Improves memory and matching skills while offering a simple, engaging experience.

These games are available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

Video games

Video games can be beneficial for people with dementia by offering cognitive stimulation, motor skill practice, and social interaction.

Here are a few types:

• Virtual reality (VR) games: These immersive games can provide engaging experiences and simulations that encourage physical activity and cognitive engagement. VR games can be found on platforms like Oculus and PlayStation VR.
• Wii Bowling (Nintendo Wii): This game involves physical activity and hand-eye coordination, making it both engaging and accessible. The Nintendo Wii console and game are available at electronics retailers and online.
• Wii Fit (Nintendo Wii): Includes a variety of simple exercises and balance games that promote physical and cognitive activity. Available for purchase with the Wii console.
• Mario Kart (Nintendo Switch): A fun and simple racing game that enhances hand-eye coordination and quick thinking. The Nintendo Switch console and game can be found at electronics stores and online.

Exercise and movement games

Research shows that long-term exercise can improve thinking and reduce symptoms in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise boosts brain blood flow, increases hippocampal volume, and promotes new brain cell growth.

Being physically active lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, is more effective, and has fewer side effects than medications.

Consider these exercise and movement games:

• Memory Ball: This game combines physical activity with memory exercises, helping to improve coordination and cognitive function. Available from senior care product retailers or online.
• Chair yoga: Gentle exercises designed for sitting that improve flexibility and strength while promoting mental relaxation. Search for instructional YouTube videos or online classes tailored for seniors.
• Exercise bands: These can be used for light resistance training to enhance strength and mobility. Available at fitness stores or online.
• Balance games: Simple activities like standing on one leg or walking along a line can improve balance and coordination. These can be guided through senior fitness programs or found as part of home exercise kits.

One study found that people with Alzheimer’s who exercised regularly had better physical fitness, including improved strength, endurance, and balance, compared with those who didn’t exercise.

Additionally, exercise was linked to fewer unexpected hospital visits for those with mild dementia, although it didn’t affect overall hospitalization rates or death rates.

The bottom line

Games for Alzheimer’s, including phone apps, board games, and card games, can help provide cognitive stimulation, encourage social interaction, and maintain motor skills.

You can start looking for games for Alzheimer’s at local toy stores, large retailers like Walmart or Amazon, and specialty dementia care stores, such as The Alzheimer’s Store.