Our parents’ parents believed that watching too much television dulled the senses and prevented us from reading, playing board games, and doing other activities that sharpened the mind. They were onto something: TV is mostly passive consumption—viewers absorb information without actively processing, analyzing, or responding.
Unlike reading, puzzles, or conversations, TV doesn’t require critical thinking, problem-solving, or imagination. It can also reduce attention spans and decrease motivation for other pursuits.
At The Retreat at Alameda, our calendar is packed with activities for seniors to keep their minds sharp. Those are balanced with peer-to-peer interactions, fun programming, and enough down time for relaxation. If your heart’s breaking because your loved one spends too much time in front of the telly, we’re happy to share suggestions to sharpen things up—in the best possible ways.
Hobbies Encourage Healthy Brain Function
Crafts like knitting, woodworking, cooking, and scrapbooking enhance seniors’ brain function by requiring fine motor coordination, spatial reasoning, and sequential planning. These hands-on activities strengthen neural connections, improve focus and concentration, and boost memory through pattern recognition. These activities to keep seniors’ minds active also incorporate tactile engagement and creative problem-solving that maintain cognitive sharpness and mental agility.
The icing on the cake is the finished product; if not a delicious dessert, then perhaps a picture worth framing, a memory-filled scrapbook, or a homemade scarf. That builds confidence and can also be gifted to loved ones.
Mentally Engaging Games for Seniors
Though they’re not technically senior brain games, simple setups like chess and checkers develop strategic planning and foresight, while crossword puzzles and word games strengthen vocabulary and verbal reasoning. Our Retreat at Alameda seniors also enjoy:
- Sudoku: Enhances logical thinking and pattern recognition.
- Card games: Improves memory and social interaction.
- Jigsaw puzzles: Boosts spatial awareness and patience.
- Trivia game: Exercises long-term memory recall.
- Board games: Encourages problem-solving and decision-making skills.
These traditional games and puzzles hold considerable value for seniors, but what about going digital?
Digital Brain Games for Seniors
Also called brain training apps, these tools promise users improved memory, better problem-solving, and sharper focus; all of those benefits can reduce stress. These apps leverage convenient, personalized challenges that adapt to individual skill levels. The monthly cost ranges from about $4.99 to $19.99 a month.
- Lumosity was developed by neuroscientists and focuses on memory, attention, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving. Seniors can spend just 10 minutes a day on these senior brain games.
- Peak offers 45+ games, personalized training programs, and a “Coach” feature that helps users design custom workouts.
- CogniFit is somewhat more challenging; it’s been used in academic and clinical settings. Its highlights are personalized training, progress tracking, and in-depth assessments. It’s popular with seniors and individuals recovering from brain injuries.
Patience is key when looking for the best brain games for seniors. Start with one or two; check for free trial periods.
Reading
Reading is naturally on this list, and is one of the best-loved activities to keep seniors’ minds active. The preferred reading material varies widely; one older adult might be dedicated to the morning newspaper, while another only wants to use their e-reader.
Reading helps cognitive skills, and it can also help recover lost or forgotten vocabulary. But many older people struggle with lifting heavier hardback books, which can discourage them from reading. Suggest lighter-weight books, or invest in an e-reader that will allow them to read easily and comfortably. Others have concentration issues, so don’t force them to read if it increases their frustration.
Leaving the Premises
Other activities for seniors to keep their minds sharp are trips to museums, galleries, restaurants, and outdoor recreation areas. You can adjust this according to their interests and passions; don’t be afraid to ask them about trying something new.
Taking a trip out of their home has many benefits. First, a change of scenery can revitalize elderly people, not to mention the fresh air and exercise of walking they’ll be able to take part in.
The stimulation of new experiences engages the brain and disrupts the monotony of day-to-day life.
Your loved one will take great pleasure in spending some quality time with you. But we understand how so many adult children wish they could spend more time with their older parents. Instead, they live too far away or have too many other responsibilities. Senior communities like The Retreat at Alameda provide mentally engaging games for seniors and other activities to keep them sharp—which can make the time you spend together more enjoyable.
We’re Not a Nursing Home
Our long-term independent living, assisted living, and memory care community has a homelike environment, supportive team members, and active, fun-loving residents. We treat them like family and honor their preferences.
The Retreat at Alameda provides for seniors’ daily needs, with private, luxury apartments, personalized care plans, and on-site amenities and activities. They come and go as they like, participating in fitness classes, attending musical performances, or laughing with friends at our themed parties. We also host community outings to landmarks like the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve and have scheduled transportation.
We believe in activities to keep senior minds active and witness the benefits every day. So do our residents and family members. You don’t need to keep asking Mom or Dad to stop watching so much TV—once they see The Retreat at Alameda, they’ll have more important things to do.
Which Activity for Seniors Will You Encourage First?
Each activity for seniors listed above keeps senior minds active as they enjoy old age. But they also need opportunity and motivation to keep going. The Retreat at Alameda organizes a wide range of activities for our residents to promote healthy brain function. Contact us now for more information about how our community could help your loved one.