Benefits of Puzzles for Brain Health in Seniors

The benefits of puzzles for brain health can help men and women of all ages, especially seniors. The more mentally engaged the mind is throughout your life, the less likely you are to develop dementia later on down the road. For seniors with dementia, working a crossword or jigsaw puzzle can promote mental stimulation, help slow the disease’s progression, and increase social activity. 

At Ventana, our senior living community in Dallas provides memory care for seniors and a wide range of beneficial services and amenities. We develop a comprehensive memory care program that can include occupational, speech, and physical therapies and other mentally stimulating activities. Seniors get the care and attention they need while their families get peace of mind knowing they are in the best spot for their health and well-being. To see if memory care is right for you or your elderly parents, call 214.225.6197 today to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members.

Why Are Puzzles Good for Seniors with Dementia?

Research has proven that mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, physical exercise, and socializing can greatly reduce the effects of dementia and slow the progression of the illness. Multiple studies have shown that senior adults who work on puzzles daily have a much slower rate of mental decline than those who rarely participate in mentally stimulating activities. The research also shows that the more mental stimulation people have, the less likely they are to develop dementia. 

If you would like to try some mentally stimulating games and puzzles at home, here are some of the best puzzles and games for seniors to prevent or slow the progression of dementia:

• Crossword puzzles
• 2D and 3D Jigsaw puzzles
• Sudoku
• Majong
• Dominoes
• Word games

Your phone or tablet is a great resource for mentally stimulating games. Wordle, Words with Friends, Scrabble, and Heads Up are all fun word games you can play with friends and family. 

Benefits of Puzzles for Brain Health in Seniors

Seniors who sit around and watch TV all day won’t get enough mental stimulation and may experience a faster onset of dementia symptoms. Working on puzzles is an excellent mental activity at home alone or with friends and family. Here are some puzzle benefits for seniors with dementia:

Great Workout for the Brain

One of the best puzzle benefits for seniors is that it activates neurons and reinforces neural connectivity, improving mental capacity and short-term memory. This activity releases dopamine, which helps regulate happiness, mood, memory, and concentration.  

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

Working on puzzles is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and reduce spatial complications common with dementia. It forces seniors to concentrate on small details and use their hands to pick up the small pieces and place them in the right spot. This activity can help improve hand strength and dexterity. 

 Meditative and Stimulating

Another benefit of doing puzzles for seniors is that it requires them to concentrate on small details and completely engage their minds. It can help keep seniors who experience stress and anxiety when they have nothing to do to stay calm. This activity is a type of meditation that can be very helpful in reducing depression, anxiety, and restlessness.

Increases Social Interaction

Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is a great solo activity you can do with friends and family anytime. Seniors can socialize with others while building the puzzle, enhancing their mood, improving multi-tasking, and giving them a fun activity to look forward to each day. 

Find Memory Care for Seniors in Dallas at Ventana

Ventana is a full-service, luxury senior living community with independent and assisted living programs, memory care, respite care, and short- and long-term rehabilitation programs. In our memory care program for seniors, we know the benefits of puzzles for brain health. We provide our residents with various puzzles and games to keep them mentally occupied throughout the day. 

To schedule a tour of our senior living community and discover the benefits of our memory care services, call 214.225.6197 today or complete our brief online form to discover how our community can benefit your retirement.