As we age, our bodies become less efficient. This can involve the joints, the skin, but also the brain. This decline is inevitable and impossible to halt. However, certain practices can delay the onset of mental health problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The first step is to train the brain through memory games. The latter is often less called upon as time goes by, and exercising it on a daily basis is one way, like any other, of taking care of your health.
There are many prophylactic activities against Alzheimer’s disease. But to begin with, exercising your memory simply means being able to recall memories, to hold them in your mind, but also to remember the names of those around you. Engaging your brain on a daily basis is very important. It’s often said that if you don’t want to lose your brain, all you have to do is use it. Memory games are excellent for training the brain, as they stimulate it in a way that is often both fun and highly effective. Their purpose is also to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, just as regular physical activity can do.
How can you recognize the signs of memory loss?
Older people don’t always realize that their memory is failing them. The latter decreases irremediably with time, but sometimes the process accelerates abnormally. This can lead to major problems that can have a significant impact on daily life. We start to forget the names of the people around us, and can’t concentrate as well as we should. Often, this is the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. The latter is characterized by a number of symptoms that are fairly easy to identify. In addition to memory loss, we may be confronted with organizational or planning difficulties.
Suddenly, you’re having trouble making a well-known recipe, or keeping track of monthly invoices. Small everyday tasks suddenly become a problem, and the ability to misplace objects sometimes develops in a worrying way. Personal hygiene is gradually being neglected, and grooming is no longer as instinctive as it once was. The personality of a senior subject to Alzheimer’s disease can be highly changeable, versatile and uneven. Anxiety is often the order of the day, as are unfounded fears, doubts or a depressed mood.
How to improve your memory: some game suggestions
The most effective game for strengthening your memory is undoubtedly chess. It’s a natural and highly effective way of stimulating the brain. When playing this game, you need to constantly remind yourself of certain situations in order to be able to correctly assess the current positions. Learning the openings and developing your tactical and strategic sense are all elements that are likely to challenge your memory. Playing chess is also a great way to maintain concentration. For those who prefer a simpler game, Bingo is particularly suitable.
This game requires concentration and responsiveness, and obviously stimulates memory. The advantage is that it requires no special skills. The rules are easy to understand, and the fun aspect of the game makes it particularly suitable for senior citizens, who are sure to have a great time. Generally speaking, all board games that involve memory are excellent for maintaining it. What’s more, they’re often a great way to forge social links and meet new people.
As we’ve just seen, there are many ways to prevent memory loss. More generally, living in a retirement home is an excellent antidote to memory degeneration. This allows you to focus on social contacts and to be relieved of many of the torments of daily life, especially those associated with caregiving. These are carried out on site, which makes life a whole lot easier. Life with the other residents is often very enriching and helps boost morale. It’s also an excellent way of combating loneliness and isolation, an aspect that generally causes our elders a great deal of worry. Residential living is therefore a comprehensive solution that combines practicality, efficiency and modernity.
