Just as we expanded our minds going into adulthood with education, exploration and new challenges, it’s also important to keep ourselves mentally stimulated as we age, keeping memory, cognition and emotional health functioning and supported.

At Just Like Family, we understand first-hand the impact mental stimulation and engagement has on the health and well-being of our clients. To actively assist others, here are 7 mentally-engaging activities, perfect for stimulating nearly any member of the aging community.

Puzzles (Visual, Word, Number)

A fun, relaxing activity that can be attempted alone or with others, puzzles engage peoples’ problem solving skills. These can include crossword puzzles, number puzzles (ex. Sudoku) and jigsaw puzzles.

Not only will these keep critical thinking intact, but they’ll also engage both sides of the brain; the logical side and the creative side.

Writing

Whether letters, fiction or poetry, writing can be a wonderful activity to not only keep minds stimulated and occupied but also allow seniors to be creative, put their thoughts and stories to paper and properly express themselves.

Cards & Games

Much like puzzles, cards and games allow seniors additional opportunities to work with their memory, problem-solving skills and creativity in order to come out successful or victorious. These can also allow for social interaction with a second player or a whole group, depending on their interactive preferences.

Reading

An engaging activity for the quieter or more independently-living senior, reading books, magazines and other publications can help to relax and entertain them as the written word simultaneously engages their memory and vocabulary.

For seniors wanting more social interaction, a love of reading may also encourage them to join discussions or formal book clubs.

Volunteering

Providing a sense of mental stimulation as well as purpose and social interaction, volunteering allows seniors to diversify, or create routine in, their daily lives. Schools, hospitals (shops or patient floors) and animal shelters are among popular, often welcoming/recruiting options.

Music (Vocal or Instrumental)

Participating in the learning/playing of an instrument or having the opportunity to sing can allow seniors to engage their memory and creativity while having an active outlet for self-expression and release. Finding and joining a choir is a positive, socially-interactive way of going about this.

Classes and Workshops

A chance to get out of the house/home and learn something new, classes and workshops can allow seniors to expand their minds, build-on existing interests or skills and meet new people.

Computer and technological classes can be a positive way for seniors to feel caught-up, in the know and able to remain in good connection with the advancing world around them while being able to communicate with loved ones who may not be close by.

Additional Resources

For more information, ideas and resources for seniors and caregivers, click here.