It's natural to worry about cognitive decline as you age, but problems with memory, concentration, and thinking skills don't have to be inevitable. Making time to do simple, enjoyable, brain-boosting activities can help keep your thinking skills sharp and may even reduce your risk of memory loss. Whether you're keen to increase cognition as an Independent Living resident or want to maintain your abilities after a dementia diagnosis, the following activities are ideal for supporting cognitive function.
Puzzles, Sudoku, and Trivia
While many of us think of doing puzzles and playing trivia games as hobbies, they require us to solve complex problems. Therefore, these activities provide an excellent workout for the brain, making them a fun and beneficial way to use downtime in your Independent Living apartment.
Sudoku is a popular option that involves filling out a 9-by-9 grid so that each row, column, and 3-by-3 block contains the digits from 1-9. The game originated in Japan in 1984 and has since taken the world by storm, with puzzles appearing in local and national newspapers across the United States.
While the rules of Sudoku are simple and easy to learn at any age, the most challenging versions require razor-sharp logical reasoning to solve. For newbies, mini-Sudoku puzzles provide a fun, straightforward introduction to the game while you learn the ropes. As you progress, consider graduating to more complex versions, such as Gattai 5, or setting time limits to increase the challenge level.
Online number and logic puzzles are ideal for flexing your cognitive muscles on the go and can add variety to your brain-training routine. While mobile gaming often gets a bad rap, a 2023 study by the University of York in the UK found that completing digital puzzles significantly improves working memory in people over 60. In fact, regular online puzzlers performed almost as well in working memory tests as people in their 20s who didn't play puzzle games regularly. To get started, you can find free logic-based memory games on the AARP website.
Playing trivia games with friends and family members can also help you reap the benefits of regular problem-solving activities while enjoying social interactions. Invest in trivia board games and books, host a trivia social, or find a fun trivia night at a local restaurant for an engaging night out.
Exercise
Maintaining an active lifestyle in your Independent Living community boosts physical and mental well-being and can improve cognition. While the connection between exercise and cognitive health isn't fully understood, a large-scale 2023 literature review found that regular exercise improves cognitive ability in seniors and can prevent other common age-related issues, such as cardiovascular problems and depression.
Fortunately, you don't have to be a gym bunny to experience the protective effects of exercise. Any increase in physical activity can benefit your health. If you don't already exercise regularly, start with small changes and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts as your fitness improves.
Designing a workout routine may feel particularly daunting if you have mobility or joint issues, but chair-based routines can help you exercise with confidence. At Brandermill Woods, we offer fun chair yoga and exercise classes to support residents with specific health needs in meeting their exercise goals. Our community amenities also include a state-of-the-art fitness suite, therapeutic indoor pool, and wellness services to help you create an exercise routine that works for you.
Word Games
Like number and logic puzzles, playing word games helps boost cognition as you age. Word puzzles and games are great for maintaining your working memory, focus, and information-processing skills and can even keep stress and anxiety at bay.
Many brain-training apps, such as Lumosity and BrainHQ, include fun word-based games in their programs, although they typically charge monthly subscription fees. While these apps may make it easier to incorporate cognition-friendly activities into your routine, there are plenty of subscription-free ways to play word games. Popular options for older adults include:
- Crosswords
- Wordle
- Anagrams
- Boggle
- Scattergories
- Articulate
- Cryptograms
- Word searches
The Brandermill Woods social calendar includes weekly Scrabble events to support our residents' cognitive health and social wellness. Playing Scrabble is a great way to learn new words, develop strategic skills, and boost your memory while socializing with friends and family.
Gardening
Gardening is more than just a hobby — it encourages planning, creativity, and problem-solving, helping to maintain healthy cognition as we age. Garden upkeep also involves gentle physical exertion, providing a rewarding, low-impact way to stay active as an older adult.
You don't need a large garden to enjoy growing and harvesting your own plants. Container gardening is a low-maintenance option for beautifying your patio or covered porch. If you live in an apartment, consider growing indoor plants to bring the outside into your living space. Installing window boxes also increases your growing space, allowing you to cultivate flowering plants and even compact vegetables, such as spinach and bok choy.
Discover Brain-Friendly Activities at Brandermill Woods
At Brandermill Woods, we offer all these activities (and more) for all levels of living. Call us at (804) 621-7328 to schedule a tour and learn more about our cognition-boosting activity calendar.
