[For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention
In this article, we introduce brain-training activities that can help prevent dementia in older adults.
As we age, memory is something everyone worries about.
For those concerned, we recommend simple, easy-to-do brain training designed for seniors.
Doing brain training activates the brain and can contribute to overall mental and physical well-being.
There are quiz formats, riddles, four-character idioms, and even brain-training activities you can do while moving your body.
Find the brain training that suits you, and enjoy doing it.
If you’re a caregiving professional looking for brain-training ideas, be sure to check these out.
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- [For Seniors] Popular Brain Training and Recreational Quizzes
- [For Seniors] Fun and Lively! Recommended Quiz Questions
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- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Finger Exercises That Help Prevent Dementia
- [For Seniors] A Brain-Training, Crowd-Pleasing Word Search Game
- [Brain Training] Lively Word Quiz for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
[For Seniors] Brain Training That Helps Prevent Dementia! Recommended Exercises (71–80)
10 educational quiz questions
Here’s an introduction to quizzes that are beneficial for seniors.
Quizzes can be enjoyed during conversations with older adults or in small pockets of free time.
Plus, the act of thinking provides stimulation to the brain and can help keep it active.
Quizzes based on things seniors know or are familiar with are likely to be even more engaging.
Learning fun trivia they didn’t know before through quizzes can also make the experience enjoyable for seniors.
And when the quizzes focus on things they already know, getting the right answer can give them a real sense of accomplishment.
Nansupi
Introducing “NANSPI / NUMBER SPEED,” a game that trains the brain for both kids and adults simply by pressing buttons and having fun.
There are three ways to play: a time-attack mode where you press buttons in order from the smallest number to the largest and compete for speed; a memory mode where you remember and reproduce the order and position of flashing lights; and another memory mode where you recreate the positions of shapes represented by toppled buttons.
You’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you press all the buttons without any mistakes.
Give it a try!
Puzzle Blocks
We’d like to introduce a 3D puzzle game where you cleverly combine blocks of different shapes to complete a form.
Within a limited frame, flipping, inverting, and repositioning the blocks through trial and error not only stimulates thinking, but the warm feel of the wood and the act of moving the pieces with your hands provide positive stimulation for the brain.
You can enjoy it on your own at a relaxed pace, or play with others and compete for time—there are plenty of ways to have fun.
Give it a try!
Ping-Pong Ball Cup-In Game
Here’s an easy, fun table game.
Place paper or plastic cups on a table.
Then have the older adults who are seated try to get a ping-pong ball into the cups.
They can throw the ball or bounce it—either is fine.
It’s also nice to think about different ways to get the ball into the cup and approach it like a game.
Grasping the ping-pong ball may help train finger strength as well.
It’s a simple game, but it’s delightful when the ball lands in a cup, and it can be refreshing, too.
Please give it a try!
Which number is the most ___?
Are you familiar with working memory? Working memory is the ability to temporarily store and process information needed for tasks and actions.
It’s said to be involved in judgments and behaviors in all aspects of daily life.
Let’s train our working memory by searching, among many numbers, for either the larger numbers or the smaller numbers.
While thinking about whether a number is large or small, focus on finding the numbers.
Some older adults may feel, “I can’t find any at all.” But there’s no need to worry.
The goal isn’t necessarily to find them; simply looking for large or small numbers itself serves as brain training.
A game where you flip over plastic bottle caps placed in an egg carton
Using just a single disposable chopstick, flip the plastic bottle caps inside an egg carton.
If you’re deft, it can even look like you’re cooking takoyaki.
The trick is actually all about where you insert the chopstick and how you move it.
By rubbing the chopstick against the cap, the pressure makes the bottle cap spin around.
Because you’re using a tool and performing fine, precise movements, the stimulation travels from the hand to the brain, so you can also expect brain-training benefits.
If you time it, it becomes competitive, making it fun both solo and in small groups.
small change calculation
Let me introduce a brain-training exercise that uses counting coins: the Coin Calculation game.
Coins will appear on the screen—memorize them within the time limit and calculate the total amount.
The double task of taking a quick look, memorizing, and then calculating greatly activates your brain.
Calculating and paying money are essential activities for living in society.
In fact, it has been reported that in the early stages of dementia, counting coins becomes difficult, leading people to rely more on bills.
If you’ve had fewer chances to shop in your daily life, please give this a try.