Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that impacts both motor skills and cognitive abilities. Therefore, exercising the mind is just as important as finding a great physical workout for the body. When looking for brain-stimulating games to add to your senior loved one’s weekly routine, consider the activities mentioned below.
Charades
Parkinson’s increases the risk of slowed thinking and impacts the ability to process information or respond to words and actions. However, brain-boosting activities such as charades can enhance your loved one’s cognitive skills, such as the ability to solve problems. Your family can incorporate charades into weekly game nights and encourage your parent to participate. Playing the game over time can make it easier to recall information and communicate with others. Your loved one might notice his or her language and processing speeds increase, making daily life less stressful.
Chess
Chess can engage the brain and increase processing abilities. As your loved one makes a move, he or she will need to use his or her reasoning and problem-solving skills. Interacting with another player can reduce loneliness and prevent depression, which is common in older adults with Parkinson’s disease. The mental benefits of chess can strengthen the plasticity of the brain. As a result, your loved one could maintain a high quality of life and slow the progression of this neurodegenerative disorder.
A professional home caregiver can be a wonderful game-playing partner for a senior with Parkinson’s. Home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Jigsaw Puzzles
The mental and physical challenges associated with Parkinson’s can prevent seniors from challenging their brains. You should incorporate activities based on your loved one’s abilities, and jigsaw puzzles are a terrific choice. You can choose one with a low level of difficulty, preventing your parent from getting frustrated and giving up on the activity. Putting the pieces together could boost your loved one’s self-confidence and cognitive abilities and motivate him or her to try other stimulating activities. Seniors can work on jigsaw puzzles alone, which is beneficial when family caregivers have other tasks to handle.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable senior care. Harrisburg, PA, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Scrabble
Maintaining their independence is vital for many seniors, including those living with Parkinson’s. One of the best ways to slow the progression of Parkinson’s and increase your loved one’s cognitive skills is to keep his or her brain active. Your loved one should try to learn new words, solve problems, and interact with others as much as possible. Playing Scrabble allows him or her to accomplish these goals while having fun. Connecting the letters to form different words engages the mind and preserves healthy brain functioning. The game also combats many cognitive problems associated with Parkinson’s, including poor concentration and difficulty multitasking. You might notice your loved one focusing harder after playing brain games like Scrabble.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Harrisburg, PA, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. If your loved one needs professional care, Home Care Assistance is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at (717) 540-4663 today.