GAMES FOR PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY JOHN SCHMID ON JUNE 14, 2009
Games for People With Alzheimer’s Can be Simple
In 2007 I began researching Alzheimer’s sometime in 2007, trying to figure out what the disease was and why it effected a person the way it did. I was looking for scientific and medical publications as well as best-care practices. Early in my search I came across a study in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia. The authors reported that playing Bingo provides mental stimulation that is highly therapeutic for people with cognitive disorders. Individuals participating in the study who played Bingo performed significantly better on measures of cognition than participants who did not play. Staff members reported increases in alertness and awareness in the test subjects, and this effect lasted for hours after testing was complete.
Bingo is an ideal game for many people with dementia. People of all ages enjoy playing it every day, so it certainly is age-appropriate. Bingo is easy to understand and play, so it is stage-specific for anyone except those in the very last stages of the disease. The familiar game requires that the person distinguish letters and numbers. Some Bingo variations require matching colors and shapes. Others might require one to recognize animals. Regardless of the scheme, Bingo stimulates the brain. That is why the study above found playing the game improved cognitive functioning.
Games for people with Alzheimer’s should be played for stimulation. Downplay the competitive aspect of gaming if your group requires that. Furthermore, Bingo is not just a game for large groups. Small groups of two or three, or even one (with a caregiver) will enjoy playing. Whenever possible and whatever the game, have children play with the older adults. Both age groups enjoy the stimulation and the social interaction.
At the other extreme…
a computer based game called Smartbrain was shown to positively affect brain function in people with Alzheimer’s in an adult day facility in Spain. As reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, the game improved cognition in a group of elderly people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Smartbrain provides stimulation to cognitive facilities like attention and memory.
Surprisingly, it seems that even the diseased brain retains the ability to make new neurological connections. Since a computer game can be programmed to work on the needs and at the level of the person playing it, this technology holds some promise in the field of dementia care.
Moreover, the researchers found that, when used in addition to the facility’s regular program, the game “greatly augmented the traditional psychomotor stimulation….” When both treatments were used together the cognitive benefit was extended to 24 weeks.”
Posit Science makes a product similar to the Smartbrain used in the study. Called Brain Fitness, it is being used successfully by several residential facilities in the U.S. to keep brains younger. And Nintendo has gotten into the game with a product called Brain Age. Though originally intended to improve the working of healthy brains, these products are proving to be effective therapy for people with dementia.
Like everything computer, electronic games will not totally replace more conventional ones, but should be considered as an important addition to an activity program whenever possible.
Selecting Games for People with Alzheimer’s
Games for people with Alzheimer’s disease should work on several levels. A board game with a colorful playing surface and objects that can be handled (cards, dice, etc.) is better than a game that does not contain these features. The more sensory stimulation the better. (But be careful with objects that are small enough to be placed in the mouth.) Many games involve a physical component. Physical exercise is another element to consider in selecting a game, but don’t choose all your games based on exercise.[pullquote]… results suggest that frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with reduced risk of AD.[/pullquote]
And be sure to allow the people in your care to have a say in the selection process. A game that she played with her children will hold a special attraction for an older woman with dementia. Alzheimer’s and some other types of dementia are characterized by short term memory problems. On the other hand, older memories stick around much longer. Not only will her familiarity with a remembered activity make it enjoyable, but old associations can evoke old memories. This reminiscing process is, in itself, beneficial. Furthermore, the benefit is magnified if there little ones about to play along.
Qwirkle is one of our favorite games because it can be enjoyed in so many different ways. It was also one of Bernice’s favorite activities.
For Bernice
We chose the Qwirkle™ game for Bernice partly because the wooden tiles were an easy size for her to handle, and because she loved colors and shapes.
Manipulating the pieces kept Bernice’s hands and fingers limber; at least in a relative sense. She was in her 90s after all. Moreover, Bernice loved to share what she created and ask for help and suggestions. This gave her a reason to talk, to communicate, something that can be difficult as dementia progresses.Qwirkle is well suited for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Thirty six black wooden tiles measuring 1¼”× 1¼” each contain a colorful shape; the combination of color and shape affords a pleasing visual contrast. Put together in an array the effect was even more stimulating.
Qwirkle is a strategic game. Players create and build upon lines based on the same color or shape. The rules are a little involved, but people in early stages of Alzheimer’s could likely play the game as intended. In fact, it is great mental stimulation. In the picture, Bernice was approaching the later stage, and so she she arranged the tiles in any way she wanted; by color, and/or shape. Or she just created pretty patterns.
Because of her love of design, she would match some by color and others by shape. She concentrated on her design, working sometimes for more than 30 minutes. She was obviously quite pleased with herself and her final product. Except for a few tiles, they were matched either by shape or by color; but even her mis-matches were not mistakes. Remember, activities, including games for people with Alzheimer’s, should always be “no-fail.”
Recommended games for people with Alzheimers
No Rules Just Ways to Play
PicLink is our best selling game for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients.
PicLink consists of 36 tiles and instructions with a variety of fun ways to play. An added challenge is to invent your own ways to play.
Designed specifically to benefit people with cognitive and memory impairment. As a matter of fact, the game variations are all based upon exercises that research has shown improves brain connections and enhances memory. For these reasons and more, PicLink is a wonderful game for younger people as well.
- Reinforces the memory process
- Encourages social and conversational interaction
- As a group activity promotes fellowship among seniors and between care-partners
- Creates new and strengthens old links to memories and inspires reminiscing
Arouses creativity through story telling
Good Smelly Fun
This Fragrance Bingo is a most original game!
Follow Your Nose encourages exploration and discovery through the player’s sense of smell. Included are 30 distinct aroma diffusers in tamper-resistant flasks which players match to the corresponding image found on five brightly illustrated game boards.
What we always liked about Follow Your Nose is that it involves the sense of smell. And it’s a game! It is difficult to create an activity that stimulates both the olfactory sense and cognition at the same time that it elicits memories. So you can see why we are so excited.
We really feel this is a good game!
Texture Matching Game is another activity that combines game play with sensory input. This time it’s the sense of touch that is required to match unseen surfaces.
The game contains 16 pairs of textured pucks that can be used all at once or in lesser quantities depending on ability. Always look for alternative ways to play games to adapt them to individual abilities.
A Collection of some of our favorite games and some puzzles
This bundle is perfect for Professional Care Providers, Memory Care Communities, and Dementia Friendly Libraries!
Games and Puzzles Box for Alzheimer’s and for others with dementia. We know from experience that a visitor to a loved one in Memory Care, armed with an appropriate activity, will create a much more meaningful visit. Both visitor and visitee will enjoy their time together more with something to inspire meaningful engagement.
Libraries love this, and our other bundles. It is a way for patrons to check out a great variety of fun and beneficial games and puzzles to do with loved ones at home.
It gives professional care providers a great selection of fun stuff to engage those for whom they care.
What game is more iconic than Checkers?
You will have to look far and long to find anyone who has not played checkers. And even if you do find someone, chances are they at least know the game.
That familiarity is part of what makes this a good choice as a game for Alzheimer’s, or any dementia. Playing checkers will likely arouse memories of times past. Remembering and talking about those memories is called “reminiscing”. And as we know, reminiscing is therapeutic.
Get things moving with the Cogwheel Game
This game requires strategy and thinking spatially. The payoff is seeing all the wheels move together.
Only when the big blue wheel is cranked does it become clear whether the plan has worked: are all the wheels turning?
- Wilson RS, Mendes de Leon CF, Barnes LL, et al. Participation in Cognitively Stimulating Activities and Risk of Incident Alzheimer Disease. JAMA. 2002;287(6):742-748. doi:10.1001/jama.287.6.742.
… results suggest that frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities is associated with reduced risk of AD. - Dr. Susan M. Landau, PhD, Mr. Shawn M. Marks, et. al. Association of Lifetime Cognitive Engagement and Low β-Amyloid DepositionArch Neurol. May 2012; 69(5): 623–629.
Our data are consistent with the observation that participation in cognitively stimulating activities in early to middle life is associated with lower Aβ (Amyloid plaque – one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease) accumulation. - Verghese J, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, et. al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. N Engl J Med. 2003 Jun 19;348(25):2508-16.
Participation in leisure activities is associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
The study study we referenced at the beginning of this page concluded that playing Bingo specifically provides mental stimulation that is highly therapeutic. Patients participating in the study performed significantly better on measures of cognition. Staff members reported increases in alertness and awareness for hours after testing.
There is a host of clinical investigations that have arrived at similar conclusions. At the left we cite a number of references and briefly quote the findings of the researchers. There are many similar studies
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[…] same pieces can also be used in different ways. For example, some people in later stages may simply use the blocks to create patterns, perhaps matching colors and patterns along the […]
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[…] Flere nettsider har gode anbefalinger for diverse spill som kan hjelpe mot Alzheimers. Flere av spillene fokuserer på hjernens hukommelsesceller og økt stimulans for å forebygge Alzheimers. Nå finnes det flere spesiallagde spill nettopp for eldre med kognitive lidelser som Alzheimers, blant annet Clevermind. Dersom sykdommen allerede er et faktum, og er langt fremtreden så er det skrevet mye om spill og anbefalinger til de forskjellige trinnene av lidelsen. […]
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[…] a clear distinction between games of “stimulation” versus “competition.” (READ MORE HERE) I find this distinction to be both flawed and unnecessary. Games like crossword puzzles and […]
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With the PicLink, I think the do you remember game is a great choice. Also, along with checkers, chess is also an excellent game to help improve and enhance the cognitive function of the older adult. Maybe if they are into numbers they could play sudoku. What about crossword puzzles? I read here that crossword puzzles require critical thinking like checkers and involve social interaction. What do you think?
We do like chess as a game to improve cognitive functioning in older adults, and even for some with milder dementia, but the rules are a little too difficult for the game to be enjoyable for those with advancing dementia. We do recommend crossword puzzles, though we don’t sell them. They are readily available online and in other places. I think that a link on your website back to some of our activity pages could benefit your readers, and such a link-exchange would be in keeping with the nature of the internet.
I’d never heard of any of these games! The ones that tap into the person’s sense of smell are fascinating, and of course anything for boosting memory is great. Physical activity is also important for stimulating memory and improving cognitive functioning. This article shares some helpful suggestions according to the specific stage of dementia a senior is in: https://compassionstl.com/advantages-of-exercise/
Mexican Train is a wonderful game for people with dementia. Instead of hiding the tiles, we lay them down flat so I can help my elderly aunt with her strategy. Gradually she has improved with matching the dominoes. With a little change in the rules, it helps her engage in a fun time, matching the tiles.
Thanks for your idea, Linda. We love when people offer new and more appropriate rules for games, especially games that are “classic” and recognized.
can i have some question sir? what is the best game application for the Alzheimer’s disease.
this for the thesis project. we need some suggestions badly. Thank you. Have a nice day.
#respect post.
There are some great free to play online games that appear very popular, entertaining and effective.
My mother loves anything by Sharpmind Games, especially themahjong.com and thejigsawpuzzles.com
My father worked with his hands. He was a machinist. I purchased big plastic children’s nuts and bolts. I would put them all together and asked him to undo them. As he was doing that I would screw the others back together. He thought it was part of his job.
Good for you, Beth! We all like to think we are doing something important, and to your father was doing important work there.
Dear members, I have developed a nice memory game (matching game) to improve memory and exercise your brain.
It is a memory game with your own pictures. The game is using your own pictures as the cards.
So this is great way to watch and explore your pictures while exercising your brain.
Great quality time you can spend with your kids, grand kids and friends, while looking at each other’s pictures.
You can play against time, or click “Stop it!” to play with no rush to enjoy every picture. Can enlarge pictures for full screen by a long-click.
Hope you and your family enjoy that game while exercising your brain.
Ads-Free version for $1: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ztsaba.ypmemgame.paid
Free version with ads: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ztsaba.ypmemgame.free
Enjoy it.
I developed 2 games for my mum and other residents who had dementia and lived in a care home.
Choose a themed word eg. EASTER then print the word in large print and cut out the letters. Ask them if they can see any smaller words eg. sat, set, seat, tea, tease. Any word will do but if it is themed it can be printed on to coloured paper eg. Yellow for Easter
I had a pack of cards that had animals and shapes on each card. They could be used for SNAP, or turn over about 10 pairs of cards face down and ask them to memorise were each one is as they turn them over. A matching pair is given to the person and you can how many pairs each one has.
Using the same cards you could ask them to identify them and ask them swap with each other to make pairs ensuring that each of them had the opportunity to make up pairs. Does anyone have a …. and take it in turns to ask.
Using the same cards I gave one card to each of 6 residents and asked them to tell me something about it . We had a lion roaring, a cat meowing and when we came to the shape of the sun we started singing “You are my sunshine.” This game was good fun for them as it turned into a singing session for about 20 minutes.
It was amazing how their imagination worked. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting my mum and also engaging with the residents and it didn’t cost anything except a little time and effort. Barbara
Would the game of MONOPOLY constitute as an example of one of these board games , that would could assist an individual within the early stages of Alzheimer’s ? I’m sure dietary habits, as well as , hydration .. are , can also be considered as contributing factors .. but , I’m simply attempting to get a ” head start ” , into my research into this matter of medical / physical state . All feedback will be welcomed , as well as , appreciated.
Sure, Monopoly can be cognitively stimulating (counting money, counting moves, etc.), and it also has a social aspect. It may be a little lengthy, but it can be played in stages, and you don’t have to finish every game. Be sure to explore our website thoroughly; Lots of information there.
John
I’m a table top gamer and a CNA. I want to introduce the staff and residents to the hobby. I’ve played Zombie Dice to a few residents. It is a push your luck game of dice by Steve Jackson Games. You take on the roll of a Zombie trying to get the most brains. Thirteen is the score limit. The dice come in three different colors. Green having the most brains, yellow having the most runners, (rerolls) and red the most shotgun blasts. Players roll three dice at a time. If a player rolls a brain side it is one point, footprint symbols are runners and can be rerolled for a chance for a brain side. Shotgun blast are unwanted results, if a player gets three her turn will end and any score of brains on her turn are nullified. The theme is grim and art is cartoony. The residents enjoyed the “push your luck” aspect more then the theme. It can play any number of players, the more the longer for the next players turn. Down time for others and less stimulus. Get more sets. As reading the article above. There is dice involved and for a pica person, mouth size game component.
Other games I was thinking of is King of Tokyo by Richard Garfield, designer of famous trading card game called Magic: The Gathering. The goal of King of Tokyo is to gain the most victory points or KO your fellow monsters. All players are large Godzilla like avatars, vying for control of Tokyo City. Rolling dice and matching like numbers, 1,2 or 3 gains victory points without entering the city. Energy bolts gain energy cubes. Claw symbols inflict wounds to other monsters and hearts can heal the currents players monster, up to the max of 10. KOT has large chunky dice but small energy cubes for the purchase of ability cards, poker size. But I was thinking poker chips in place of the cubes. Again the theme is not all in the interest of older folks. It does have flashy colorful cartoon graphic. The board is very small and plays 2-6.
Another game is One Night Ultimate Werewolf. I’ll leave that for another time.
A game was advertised on Breakfast BBC1 this morning 4th May ’16. It was a study of peoples ages and gender. I cant find this game anywhere as it wasn’t very well stated. Can you help me?
Thank you.
Hi Marion, Thank you for contacting us. I’m sorry that I can’t help you. We don’t get the same programming here in the United States that you get. Possibly you can contact the TV station and someone can help you.
Best Regards,
Holly
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36203674
Sea Hero Quest?
Looking for games for people with dementia who basically have little skills left no memory at all. Thanks for any helpful ideas. Bingo games didn’t work it’s all care givers doing everything residents looking at cards and just lost.
Hi Rick,
Finding a game or any activity for a person with dementia is much like finding something for anyone esle. The individual’s interests and personality have to be considered as well as his or her ability. Sometimes interests and personality change with the progression of dementia. Those who work with and are closest to someone are in the best position to predict the kinds of activities that might be enjoyed. Everything in our store has worked as an appropriate activity for dementia, but not all are right for everyone. Feel free to contact us (877/300.3021) or info@best-alzheimers-products if you need some ideas for your particular situation.
Often times, it comes down to sensory stim activities. Soft brushes on hands and arms, smells (essential oils), lotions, soft music, foot massage. Even when they cannot respond or participate much, they can still hear and feel.
I really loved the Alzheimer Song ! Please don’t let me forget you !!, where can I purchase it?
OK very good! We have just made an app where you can do memory training, this one you can do with your old photos for remembering and for fun; https://itunes.apple.com/se/app/id953456987 and on Google Play at :https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.memorylane.com we also made a presentation on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZlhThYY8Yg Have a great time 😉
As a principal supplier of smaller bingo machines and supplies to the seniors market we have seen considerable growth in this sector especially with seniors homes, seniors apartment towers and community centres. We see first-hand that in addition to the mental challenge of quickly looking for numbers to mark, bingo requires a certain level of hand eye coordination. Most seniors still get a kick out of being able to compete against their piers for the thrill of winning.
Doug Burke, mgr.
Bingo Pro Inc.
As a principal supplier of smaller bingo machines and supplies to the seniors market we have seen considerable growth in this sector especially with seniors homes, seniors apartment towers and community centres. We see first-hand that in addition to the mental challenge of quickly looking for numbers to mark, bingo requires a certain level of hand eye coordination. Most seniors still get a kick out of being able to compete against their piers for the thrill of winning.
Doug Burke, mgr.
Bingo Pro Inc.
I have been looking for larger tiles for the game Tri-ominoes. My residents love this game, but need larger pieces so we can play in a group. Any ideas?
Great ideas thankyou!
MindWare, maker of Qwirkle, has a nice game just out this fall 2014 called CHOCIE WORDS (I invented it). The game involves auditory recall by asking players to recall all words, terms, titles, and phrases that involve the root word. Example: CUT. cut rate, cut throat, haircut, paper cut, cold cut, short cut, cutting edge, cutting board, cutting room floor, cut-and-paste, cut-and-run, cut it out! See the MindWare website for all the 5-star consumer reviews. Bob Kamp
“CHOICE WORDS” – – sometimes my fingers don’t type as I wish they would. Ha!
Bob, Sounds like a nice game. And fyi, we all have fingers phones or keyboards that don’t always type what we want when going fast.?
What is an activity to be used to help depressed dementia geriatric patients
Depression in people with dementia can often be attributed directly to inactivity and under-stimulation. I know I get depressed when I have nothing meaningful to do for extended periods of time. The best answer to your question is “anything that will keep them involved and stimulate their brains and their senses.” The trick is finding something they like, as without interest there is little involvement.
Singing or playing music. I did a paper on how music stimulates the brain of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.
Hi Beth,
It’s amazing what music does for the brain, isn’t it? I’d love to read your paper.
Dr Ron Rea and I are conducting a workshop on improving quality of life for Alzheimers patients. I am interested in talking with program developers in your shop re assumptions and research that have guided your company in developing games to help caregivers stimulate their patients.
We could discuss displaying some of your games if you feel that would be beneficial to your company and our presentation. The best number to reach me is my cell….803 333 9759.
Thank you
Jack White
Thanks for your input, Nolan. You make some interesting points. We often do things too late, as you say of attempts to use brain games to curtail the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. But there are studies that link stimulating games (and other habits and life choices) to lower incidents and/or later onset of dementia. Most organizations that concern themselves with dementia make mention of things we can do to help avoid brain diseases starting at a very early age, and we certainly do so on this blog (see https://best-alzheimers-products.com/can-turmeric-cure-alzheimers.html, https://best-alzheimers-products.com/can-we-prevent-alzheimers-disease.html and more to come).
I’m not sure that “the intensity of competition” is a factor in this case. “…sweating the outcome” of bets made against other players, while invigorating, likely have nothing to do with the type of stimulation that is so beneficial to brain health; it may or may not be good for the heart. In fact there is a direct correlation between stress and dementia, so it could even be counter-productive.
A person who is “lazily filling in a crossword puzzle” is actually quite active on a cognitive level. I’m not sure adding competition to the mix improves the activity. That said, I agree that playing poker could have many advantages in this regard, especially if there is a social element. However, I am not sure that playing competitively and for money will make it any more advantageous