8 Memory Games to Play with Seniors to Keep Them Sharp | Pacific Angels Home Care (2024)

As people age, memory problems tend to be more common. By making use of the best memory games to play with seniors, loved ones can prevent memory issues and stave off cognitive decline. Fortunately, many games can be found for free online, so they can be used anytime you want.

Mental health determines how independent your loved one can be. While many people remember to exercise their body, they often forget to exercise the mind. In order to keep the mind in working order, you need to give it different tasks.

The following easy memory games for seniors can help to engage your loved one’s mind, so they can stay mentally alert and active for longer. These activities are engaging and fun to do, so they are a great activity for family members to do together.

1. Chess

Board games are an excellent option for seniors and chess is one that has been around since the 6th century. Chess requires you to concentrate and remember what you are doing, which helps seniors with cognitive function. In addition to boosting their self-esteem, playing chess in person is also a great way to socialize.

Chess is also one of the top online memory games for seniors. If you go to chess.com, you can play players from around the world whenever you want. The games are based on your skill level, so you can play beginners or experts.

2. Sudoku

In recent years, Sudoku has become one of the most popular memory games for seniors. This pencil-based puzzle uses problem-solving skills and a little math. Because it requires memory skills and logic, your mind has to focus and make connections.

With Sudoku, seniors can quickly improve their decision-making abilities and concentration. This game uses strategic thinking and is even available through digital platforms. Plus, you can check out memory game apps for seniors like Sudoku.com’s app.

3. BrainCurls

If you are searching for free memory games for seniors online, BrainCurls is a good place to go. This website includes a variety of different brain games you can use to build your logic skills, verbal ability, or memory. The entire program is completely free, which makes it an ideal option for seniors on a budget.

BrainCurls is also a great place to go because of how easy it is to use. On the main page, you can select from different game types such as Memory Q’s, Vocabulary Hangman, Bird Concentration, Butterfly Memories, and Hamster Logic. When seniors get tired of one game, they can easily try a different game to improve their mental acuity.

4. Word Games

Word games are one of the best ways to improve a senior’s verbal recall and memory. Many seniors struggle to come up with the right word when they need it, which is why brain stimulation is so important. The best memory games for seniors can help your loved ones remember the terms and words they need when they are trying to have a conversation.

You can start by playing simple word association games. With this type of game, one person says a word such as “Santa Claus.” Then, the next person has to say the first word they think of such as “chimney.”

This kind of game is easy to do, and you can quickly create an associative chain of words. It is also quite useful for building mental connections and associations between different words in the senior’s mind.

Another word game you can use builds a chain in a different way. The first player says one word, and the second player has to use the last letter of the first word as the first letter of their word. When the next player goes, they have to say the first two words before thinking of a third word.

This game is great for creating connections between different words and exercising the senior’s memory. Before long, the chain can get quite long, so this is a great test of the senior’s (and everyone else’s) memory. Plus, word games like these association games allow the senior to socialize and have fun with their loved ones.

5. Luminosity

Luminosity is one of the most successful providers of memory games for seniors in the world. They also offer an app you can use to play memory games on your phone. With there is a free version available, you can also pay a monthly fee to get added services.

Through the free version, you can play three games each day. Meanwhile, the premium option lets you play an extra three games per day. This app allows you to track your metrics and progress across more than 60 cognitive games.

6. Concentration

Concentration is a popular board game for people of all ages. While you can buy physical cards for this game, you can also just use a deck of cards.

To play this game, you just have to lay out the deck of cards face down. Then, each person gets to turn over two cards at a time until they can find matching pairs. Players can keep each matching pair they find, and the winner is the person who has the most matching pairs.

You can play this game to boost your loved one’s memory, and it can also help them grow new, stronger connections. If your loved one doesn’t have anyone to play with, they can also use memory game apps for seniors to play through their mobile device.

7. Puzzles

While researchers still need to do more work to see if puzzles help your memory, they do provide cognitive stimulation. Puzzles can also help with word-building skills and provide a distraction from the effects of dementia.

Do a crossword puzzle or put a jigsaw puzzle together. Crossword puzzles range from beginners to more challenging puzzles. The goal is to advance from one level to the next as you improve your word building skills.

8. Memozor

Known as one of the best memory games for seniors, Memozor is available online. This site uses vintage matching games to help seniors improve their memory and ability to retain facts.

Best of all, these memory games are completely free to use.

Boost Your Loved One’s Cognitive Abilities with Memory Games

While a healthy lifestyle isn’t always easy, improving your brain health can be fun. The best memory games for seniors can be played online, through an app, or with loved ones. In addition to improving their memory abilities, these games can stave off cognitive decline and help with socialization.

Learn more about ways you can support your senior loved one by checking out the Pacific Angels Home Care blog!