Activities to Keep Your Memory Sharp

By Jamie Shapiro | March 18, 2021 | Comments Off on Activities to Keep Your Memory Sharp

March 21 is National Memory Day. As your parent has been aging, he might be noticing that his memory is not what it used to be. He might have a more difficult time remembering names, completing tasks with multiple steps, or finding the right word to express himself. While extreme memory loss can be a symptom of dementia or other illnesses, the occasional inability to remember little bits of information is common. There are a lot of great activities that you can plan with your aging parent to help him keep his memory sharp. Just like the body needs physical activity to stay in shape, the mind needs stimulation to stay in shape as well.

Arts and Crafts

 Elder Care Glenview, IL: Seniors and Memory Loss

If your parent has a hobby or enjoys creating homemade items, an arts and crafts day on March 21 might be a great way to celebrate National Memory Day. Working on art projects uses the imagination and pulls in memories from the past to create inspiration. Your senior care provider can set up a project in the living area of your parent’s homes to encourage him to get his hands busy working on a project. Whether he’s creating something for himself or others, there will be satisfaction with creating something that is uniquely him.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to exercise the brain and improve memory. Puzzling requires the person to sort through colors, remember the image that’s being created, and try placement of individual pieces. This is another area that either you or your senior care provider can set up for your parent. While most people don’t assemble puzzles all in one day, you can start one on March 21 for National Memory Day.

Word Puzzles

Having a book of crossword puzzles or other word puzzles by the couch (or chair) where your parent often sits, gives him ample opportunity to pick up the book and workout his brain whenever the mood strikes. Crossword puzzles require your parent to search his memory for answers to fill in the blanks of the puzzles. There are also books packed with many different types of word puzzles that your parent may enjoy.

Trivia Games

Gather up the family for a fun game of trivia. You can do these in person or create a family zoom night to play trivia (just have one person have the board and do all of the moving of pieces and reading of questions). Trivia seeks to see who can remember what about random bits of information. Your parent might be surprised on the memories he can pull up when he’s playing this game with family. Let those answers lead to fun stories if your parent is keen on sharing his memories with the family.

Chess

Chess is a great game for exercising the brain. There’s not only memory involved, but strategy and planning. All of these activities help the brain stay in shape and keep its memories. Your parent can play chess with anyone (no need to be an expert), so have him set up a chess board to play with his senior care provider or anyone who visits. He can also play online when he’s not able to see people in person.

Keep your parent’s memory in the best shape it can be by exercising his brain with the same commitment of exercising his body. Both are crucial for healthy living.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Glenview, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro
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