Interactive Memory Games for Seniors

You can’t help but feel guilty when your aging loved one starts to struggle. They’ll forget the simplest of things, and it will drive you nuts. They’ve been around for so many years, remembered so much, and contributed so much – now they forget what they ate for breakfast? It’s hard to watch your loved ones decline in this way, but there are ways you can support their physical and mental health (and make it a fun process!).

Interactive memory games are a fantastic way to make memories with your loved ones and help them get their minds back in shape.

Interactive Memory Games for Seniors

1. Memorize the order of a deck of cards

The idea here is that your loved one will memorize the order of a deck of cards. Layout the deck and have your loved one put them back in order. You can try to speed it up as they get better at it—the more complicated the deck, the better. Be sure to repeat this exercise regularly so they’ll never forget it!

2. Act out a story

Have your loved one tell you a story while you act it out. If they get stuck, fill in the blanks or rephrase the sentence so that they can continue. It will help their brain health and also improve their dramatic acting skills!

3.Listen to a few songs and guess who sings them

Have your loved one listen to a few songs (but not the whole song). Then, have them guess who sings it. You can make this fun game more challenging by picking more obscure songs or artists.

4.Guess the title of a book or movie

Have your loved one pick a book or movie from their bookshelf or randomly pick one from any TV show they’re watching. Then, have them guess another title.

5.Do exercises from memory  (it’s okay if they don’t remember the last few times!)

It works well with interactive memory games for seniors. Doing exercises from memory is also suitable for their short-term memory. Some examples are push-ups, sit-ups, or running in place. It’s also a good idea to keep track of how many they do (this will require more physical activity on your part).

6.Ask for directions

When out and about, ask your loved one for directions from one place to another. Try it with street names. They won’t know to have them give you precise movements.

7.Can I have Canada bread?

When ice cream is on the menu, have your loved one write down a list of items they would like. Can I have Canada bread, a Butterfinger, and a piece of chocolate cheesecake? It’s good for their brain health to ask others for instructions (especially when it comes to remembering things)!

8.Where is my car?  (This can be used for older adults.)

Have your loved one get out and look for their car. If they have trouble finding it, ask them to try again after a couple of minutes. It’ll be surprised how hard it is when they try. It is excellent for testing their memory skills (and their patience!).

9. Sorting out the laundry!

All you need is a sorting hat and a pile of dirty laundry! Have your loved one sort out the laundry as you hold your sorting cap over one pile and ask them to sort into piles of colors. They’ll have to figure out the order of each bank, and it’s an excellent way for them to sort their laundry. What a fun game to practice their problem-solving skills! 

10.Write a story

Your loved one will have to come up with a great title and then write the story around it. It’s simple, but you can have them do it on both sides of the paper to increase the difficulty level. This helps develop their critical thinking skills. 

11.Do the math!

Test your loved ones by asking them some easy math problems like 4+6 or 10-2. It’s good for their mental health, and they’ll be surprised how complex even simple numbers can be when their mind starts getting older.

12.Socialize!

It is an excellent idea for both young and old! Have your loved ones find a few people in their environment and ask them some simple questions. It will challenge them to pay attention and make a conversation.

13.Play Memory Bingo with your loved one!  

They can keep score with you as you all try to play bingo. You can also even make up some rules to make it more challenging (you can also use this for interactive memory games for seniors).

14. Dance it out!  

Have your loved one bust a move while they are dancing in a public place like a grocery store or at a party. It will force their brain to work harder and will challenge them to stay consistent with their moves. It’ll be an excellent exercise for both of you!

15.Order the menu

When you’re out to eat, have your loved one order off the menu. It doesn’t matter if they choose what they want (if you have other people with you) or select the items in order (if you are alone with your loved one).

Why Should You Help Your Senior Loved Ones Maintain Their Memories?

• It’s a great way to have them participate in cognitive games with you to help their brain stay active.  It also gives you a chance to have some fun with them!
• It benefits both of you! You’re getting your loved ones out of the house, and you’re exercising their mental health while they are being challenged and having fun!
• They will agree that their mental skills are getting better, and they’ve loved it!
• It’s excellent for family unity!
• It keeps them occupied, happy, and active!
• It helps them relax and always be on the go! You’ll have a smile on your face (and your loved one will too).
• You can use this as a way to find common interests or make new friends.
• It’s a great way to stay active! It will help you get some brain exercises, and your brain will be working hard while they’re moving.
• It’s a great way to show love and care for your loved one by doing something you know they will enjoy!
• It helps other people in the family (your siblings, parents, grandparents) so they know what their loved ones are capable of doing.

Maintaining your senior loved one’s cognitive health is something that will involve you (or a social activity that you do with them), and it will benefit both of you. You’ll have a fun time with your loved ones, and they’ll be challenging their brain speed through a random selection of brain exercises.

It is essential to keep in mind that maintaining someone’s brain cells is a process that won’t work overnight. You’ll have to keep doing so that they will start to see improvements in their cognitive skills.

Please leave us a comment below and let us talk about more brain health tips in taking care of your senior loved ones.