Board games are not just fun nor something exclusive to children, but they are also a powerful tool for cognitive stimulation for older people. Board games for seniors offer different benefits not only on a cognitive level, but also on a communicative, social and emotional level.
Specifically there are no board games for the elderly, but we can choose them and adapt them according to the characteristics of the person and the functions we want to stimulate. This way we will be able to get the most out of board games and get the most out of them.
Benefits of board games for older people
Board games for seniors provide fun, entertainment and multiple benefits for their physical and mental health:
Cognitive
Board games are excellent for keeping the mind active and agile. They require players to use skills such as memory, problem solving, decision making, and strategic planning. And, to set these mechanisms in motion, you need concentration. By participating in these games regularly, we manage to stimulate cognitive functions, promoting brain plasticity, which can help prevent cognitive decline associated with age, such as memory loss and decreased mental acuity.
Communicative
Board games for adults encourage verbal and non-verbal communication between players. Whether discussing strategies, explaining rules, or simply chatting during the game, seniors can improve their communication and expression skills. Additionally, playing in a group can help strengthen listening and understanding skills. In this way, reasoning and logic, as well as the mechanism of communication, force the brain to exercise.
Social
Board games are a great way to socialize and connect with other people. They provide an opportunity to make new friends, strengthen family ties, even with children and young people, and maintain active social relationships. Social interaction during games can improve mood, reduce isolation and increase a sense of belonging and community.
Emotional
Board games can be an emotional outlet, offering fun and entertainment that can relieve stress and anxiety. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment when winning or the support of fellow players during a loss can improve self-esteem and self-confidence. At the same time, during the game the emotional ties with the rest of the players are strengthened. In this way, people share their hobbies, time and experiences, enjoying a nice moment with friends.
Examples of board games for seniors
Now that we have discovered the benefits of this fun practice, it is worth knowing some examples of board games adapted for older people:
- Scrabble and other word games
Word games are ideal for keeping the brain active and promoting creativity and vocabulary. Crossword puzzles, the famous Scrabble and other word games are of great help for the brain activity of older adults. Let us remember that language is a key factor in the functioning of the brain. Therefore, board games for seniors that include words are ideal for maintaining their verbal abilities and preventing cognitive decline.
- Dominoes
It is a classic game whose rules everyone knows, and which undoubtedly helps improve concentration, attention and numerical skills.
- Chess
This ancient game is perfect for exercising the mind, improving memory and developing logic, creativity and strategic skills. All these characteristics stimulate the brain and prevent cognitive deterioration, making it a highly recommended activity for seniors.
- Card games
Most card games require observation, planning and calculation skills, promoting mental acuity and concentration.
- Parchís
It is another traditional board game that encourages social interaction and group fun, while practicing strategy and patience.
- The couples game
One of the most popular games to exercise memory is the pairs game. This type of game encourages visual memory and is very simple. It consists of matching the same images (in pairs) of the cards or pieces that make up the game.
- Puzzles
Puzzles and jigsaw puzzles are also very well known among memory games for older people. For them it is a challenge and serves to establish relationships between the images and memorize the pieces to fit them together. Not only does it exercise the mind, but it acts as an anti-stress activity, developing patience and promoting relaxation.
Board games for older people in residences
The enormous benefits of board games for seniors in nursing homes are not always known or recognized. It must be taken into account that it is not only about proposing a game between the residents, but that we must try to energize the activity to involve them.
In NAMI residents have regular access to a wide variety of games, allowing them to enjoy different experiences and challenges. In addition, activity programming is designed to adapt to the needs and preferences of residents, ensuring that games are appropriate for their age, skills and abilities.
Playing board games in a residential and community setting promotes interaction between residents, helping them establish social bonds, share experiences and create a sense of community.
At NAMI board games are provided by qualified staff, who can provide support and assistance as required. This is especially important for those residents who may have physical or cognitive limitations, as staff can adapt the games to make them accessible and enjoyable for everyone. What’s more, professionals can use these activities as tools to stimulate cognitive functions, improve hand-eye coordination, promote concentration and memory, and foster residents’ autonomy and self-esteem.
If you want more information about the NAMI Day Centers and Residences and board games for seniors, as well as others therapies that stimulate and entertain our residents, do not hesitate to contact us.
