Old Age Is a Joy Nowadays: Free Games That Will Help to Boost Your Memory

Aging is a natural and inevitable process that affects all body systems, including cognitive functions. Although slight memory impairment may be normal, it can be significantly slowed down and even improved with regular memory games for seniors and mental stimulation.

Importance and Benefits of Memory Games

Regular memory training brings many benefits that go beyond simple memorization:

• Improved cognitive function: Games help maintain and improve short- and long-term memory, information processing speed, logical thinking, and problem-solving ability.
• Reducing the risk of dementia: Research shows that active mental activity can delay or reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Regular exercise for the brain creates a so-called “cognitive reserve” that helps the brain compensate for age-related changes.
• Increased self-esteem and confidence: Successful completion of memory-related tasks gives a sense of achievement, which has a positive effect on mood and self-esteem.
• Social interaction: Many memory games are designed for groups, which promotes communication, reduces feelings of loneliness, and helps keep in touch with family and friends.
• Improving the quality of life: Maintaining a sharp mind allows older people to remain independent, pursue their favorite hobbies and enjoy life to the fullest.

Memory Games with Visual and Hearing Impairments

Special attention should be paid to choosing games for the elderly with visual or hearing disabilities. The main thing is to use the strengths of other senses to compensate for the shortcomings.

For People with Visual Impairments

In this case, the emphasis is on auditory and tactile sensations. Games should be based on sound, touch, and verbal communication.

1. Tactile games:

“Bag of Riddles”: Place several different objects in an opaque bag, such as a key, a spoon, a coin, a button, a pen. The participant must determine by touch what is inside and remember what he “found”. Then, after a while, ask him to list all the objects he touched.

“Plasticine memorization”: The participant is asked to make several simple figures out of plasticine, then they are hidden, and the person must remember and name what exactly he made. You can make it more complicated by adding more shapes or asking to recreate them from memory.

2. Audio games:

“Sounds around”: Enable recording with multiple sounds such as phone ringing, rain, birds singing. The participant needs to guess each sound and remember their order, and then ask him to reproduce the sequence.

“The story in detail”: Read an excerpt from a book or a short story and then ask a few questions about the content that require attention to detail, for example, “What color was the coat of the main character?”.

3. Word games:

“Chain of words”: The first participant names a word, the second repeats it and adds his own. The chain continues, and each time you need to reproduce all the previous words in the correct order.

“Twenty questions”: Guess the subject. The participant must ask questions that can only be answered with “yes” or “no” in order to guess the subject that develops logical thinking and the ability to organize information.

“Rhymes”: Ask participants to come up with rhymes for a given word stimulating verbal memory and creative thinking.

For People with Hearing Impairments

In this case, visual and written methods play a key role, as well as tactile sensations that can be used for feedback.

1. Visual games:

“Paired Pictures”: Use large, bright flashcards with contrasting images? place them face down and ask them to find pairs by turning over two cards at a time.

“What has changed?”: Arrange several items on the table, the participant remembers their location, then turns away, and you swap two objects or remove one. The task is to find out what has changed.

“Photo album of memories”: Go through old photos and ask the person to remember where and when they were taken, who is depicted in the picture and what events are associated with it.

2. Writing games:

“Crosswords and Sudoku”: These games are great for training memory and logic, but it’s better to use options with large fonts.

“Make a list”: Ask the participant to write a list of 10-15 items that he saw recently in the room. Later, ask him to repeat it from memory without looking at the list.

“Turn the card over”: Write 5-10 words on separate cards and put them face down. Then turn over one card, give 10 seconds to memorize and turn it back, and the player’s task is to write down all the words that were on the card.

3. Games with facial expressions and gestures:

“Pantomime”: Guess a word or action and show it without sound, and the participant must guess. Then you can switch roles. 

“I’m going camping”: Each participant in turn uses gestures and facial expressions to show the object that he “takes camping”, and the next participant must repeat the previous gestures and add his own.

Game	Preventable diseases
Tactile games	Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, general decline in cognitive functions
Audio games	Dementia, deterioration of auditory memory
Word games	Dementia, decline in verbal memory, Alzheimer’s disease
Visual games	Dementia, decline in visual memory, Alzheimer’s disease
Written games	Dementia, deterioration of logical thinking, Alzheimer’s disease
Games with facial expressions and gestures	Dementia, impaired nonverbal communication, Alzheimer’s disease

Two-Week Memory Training Plan

This plan is an example and can be adapted to individual needs. 

The main thing is the variety, regularity and enjoyment of the process.

Week 1

• Monday: The Pantomime Game
• Tuesday: “Chain of Words”
• Wednesday: Rest
• Thursday: Portal Match in the Mind Elevate app
• Friday: Solving a crossword puzzle or Sudoku
• Saturday: Remembering old photos
• Sunday: Rest

Week 2

• Monday: “A Bag of Riddles”
• Tuesday: Star Analyst in the Mind Elevate app
• Wednesday: Rest
• Thursday: “History in detail”
• Friday: Oral account
• Saturday: “Music Quiz”
• Sunday: Rest

How to Create an Individual Memory Training Plan

An individual approach is the key to success. Each person is unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create your own personal, effective plan.

Step 1: Assessment of current status and interests

Before you start, think about which activities bring you pleasure. Do you have any hobbies that can be used to train your memory? What types of games do you prefer — verbal, visual, tactile? Take into account your physical abilities and limitations and do not force yourself to do things that cause discomfort or stress.

Step 2: Define Goals

Set clear, achievable goals for yourself. Instead of the vague “I want to improve my memory,” formulate a specific one: “learn to memorize 10 new words a week,” “remember the names of everyone you know,” “memorize the shopping list.”

Step 3: Select suitable games

Based on your interests and limitations, select a few games from the sections above. For example, if you have hearing impairments, focus on writing and visual games. If you have problems with your eyesight — auditory and tactile.

Step 4: Create a Schedule

Set aside time for classes in your schedule. It is better to practice for 15-20 minutes every day than once a week for two hours. Try to divide the day into three blocks:

• Morning: Complete the most difficult tasks while your brain is fresh, it can be logic puzzles, crosswords or learning something new.
• Day: Engage in physical activity, which also improves memory, or spend time outdoors.
• Evening: Engage in more relaxing games that help reinforce what you’ve learned during the day, such as listening to music or reading.

Step 5: Tracking Progress

Keeping a diary can be very useful. Write down which games you did, what turned out, and what caused difficulties, which will help you see your progress and understand which exercises are most effective for you.

Step 6: Flexibility and Adaptation

Remember that this is not a strict plan, but a tool. If you are not in the mood to play word games today, replace them with watching a movie followed by a discussion. If an exercise seems too difficult, simplify it because the main thing is that the process remains exciting and enjoyable, rather than becoming a routine.

The main advice is not to stop fighting, you don’t need to overdo it, try to do at least the minimum – and that will be enough.