Memory Games for Brain Health
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Mental exercises, including memory games, may help boost brain health by creating new brain cells and connections.
Brain exercises are important throughout life, and perhaps even more so in older adulthood. For example, a 2019 study suggests that board games may improve thinking and possibly be helpful for older adults in care centers and possibly throughout adulthood to support overall brain health.
Such activities might also decrease the risk of mental decline and may even be helpful for people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Whether you’re helping a loved one with Alzheimer’s or are concerned about protecting your own brain health, consider including the following exercises in your everyday routine.
Memory loss-friendly brain exercises
Memory games can be a helpful tool if you or a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s.
While there’s not a lot of research backing specific brain training games as methods of preventing cognitive decline more generally, brain exercises may still provide benefits later in life, including improved recall and even opportunities for socialization.
For example, a 2023 review found that board games helped slow the rate of cognitive decline in older adults while also improving overall quality of life.
The exact effects can vary based on the game and the individual playing it. Consider the following options, and learn how they might address memory loss.
Recall exercises
Also known as retrieval practice, recall exercises focus on long-term memory. The idea here is to recall some of the information you have previously tried to commit to memory.
While recall exercises can be helpful for Alzheimer’s, they can benefit adults at any age, too. Just some of the ways you can do this with a friend or loved one include:
- Making a small list and memorizing it: Examples include a small to-do list, grocery list, or perhaps a list of favorite books or songs. Try to memorize the list, and then either self-test or have someone test you after a few hours. Start small with five items, and work your way up to more if desired.
- Memorizing a few words: At the beginning of the day, think of a few words and try to memorize them. Later in the afternoon, see if you can write those same words down or recall them verbally.
- Four details exercise: As the name suggests, this exercise involves trying to memorize four specific details. These can be related to a place, person, or item you use. The idea here is to pick four details and then see if you can remember them later. For example, if you’re trying to pick details of a person, you can choose their name, hair color, eye color, and what they were wearing.
- Saying the ABCs backward: You may already know your ABCs, but you can turn this into a memory recall exercise by reciting them backward. Start with the letter “Z” and see how far you can make it back to “A.”
- Reversing short sentences: As an alternative to reciting the ABCs backward, you can try repeating a sentence you or a loved one says, but in reverse order. For example, “Have you read this?” can be reversed to “this read you have?”
- Silently repeat what others say: Another recall exercise involves repeating what someone tells you, but silently in your mind. This exercise also helps improve focus during interpersonal conversations.
Matching exercises
The premise behind matching games is to match pairs of items together. For Alzheimer’s, such exercises may work to boost short-term memory skills, as well as help improve concentration.
There are a variety of matching games to consider, including card games and board games, such as:
- photo matching games
- games that require matching colors or shapes
- matching pairs of numbers with a traditional deck of cards
- organizing a traditional deck of cards by color and suit
When picking a matching game for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, consider one they might enjoy without getting overwhelmed. You can start with photo matching cards of an item they like, such as nature or animals, and work up to more challenging versions as appropriate.
There are also numerous electronic matching game apps to consider downloading on a smartphone or tablet. In addition to possible memory benefits, one 2021 review notes that apps provide visual and auditory effects that may be therapeutic to adults with Alzheimer’s disease.
Another benefit to electronic matching games is their ability to increase the level of difficulty based on the player’s performance. This can help reduce the risk of frustration and over-whelm.
Some highly-rated matching game apps include:
Keep in mind that some apps, as with board games, may require higher levels of hand-eye coordination. Consider your loved one’s individual needs and abilities so they don’t get frustrated.
Ordering games
Ordering games may seem relatively straightforward. But when it comes to brain health, these types of exercises may improve memory, concentration, and self-esteem. Consider the following types of ordering games and their potential benefits:
- Puzzles: Whether you choose a beginner’s set or a more advanced puzzle, these can help boost visual perception as well as self-esteem.
- Word searches and crossword puzzles: Both of these classic games can help with recall and language. Traditional paper versions can help work fine motor skills, but there are also numerous apps if you prefer an electronic game.
- Sudoku: Rather than using words, Sudoku is a numbers-based game available in both paper and electronic form that can challenge the brain.
- Tic-Tac-Toe: This classic game may be played on paper, on an app, or on a physical board, such as this one.
- Card games: Solitaire, Uno, and Skip-Bo are all possible options that rely on ordering skills. They can also improve both memory and strategic thinking skills.
- Verbal alphabet games: These work recall and order by challenging you to think of items that start with certain letters that go along with the alphabet. For example, you can think of a food or an animal that starts with the letter “A,” and go on to “B” until you have reached the end of the alphabet.
The bottom line
Alzheimer’s disease is a common type of dementia that can cause memory loss. Engaging your loved one with games such as recall exercises, matching games, and ordering exercises may benefit their brain health while also boosting confidence and offering opportunities to socialize.
Choosing the right games can require a bit of a trial-and-error process. However, there are a variety of brain exercises to choose from, and you can select multiple types until you find one that is challenging yet enjoyable for your loved one.
