Dementia does a number on the cognitive and mental health of tens of millions of Americans, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type of dementia. According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with 5.6 million being 65 years old and older. What’s worse, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is slated to rise by an estimated 14 million people by 2060, with minority populations being most at risk.
Women and Minority Populations are Disproportionately Affected by Dementia
Minorities have a disproportionate risk of developing dementia. In fact, cases of dementia will increase sevenfold among Hispanic people over current numbers, according to the CDC. This shines a brighter light on existing healthcare disparities and how social determinants of health disproportionately affect women and POC.
Additionally, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease than men; however, experts suggest the difference is due to women living longer than men (or, maybe, they’re better at board games?).
How can doctors combat this growing problem, and are there ways to prevent or delay the onset of dementia in older adults?
Can Brain Games Prevent or Delay Dementia in Older Adults?
Is it all fun and games? Well, maybe. As it turns out, keeping the brain stimulated and engaged is extremely important when thwarting the onset or progression of dementia. One way to do this is with games. Here’s what studies suggest:
- Inone study, the impacts of 16 weeks of combined physical and cognitive game training were studied in older adults. Researchers determined that there was a significant improvement in working memory and executive function.
- Another studyresearched the impacts of computerized cognitive training in specific areas that included reasoning, memory, language, and attention on the progression of dementia. The study's results found an increase in participants’ gray matter in the brain which could help preserve general cognition.
- Analog games, like board games, were found in a2019 studyto reduce cognitive decline from ages 70-79. Checkmate!
- A2020 reviewtook a closer look at the role of games on dementia. Using three types of games, board games, video games, and virtual reality (VR) games, researchers found that participants with early and middle-stage dementia improved several cognitive abilities, including short-term memory, problem-solving, reaction time, logical reasoning, and communication.
- While a number of studies exist that show promise between brain games and preventing dementia in older adults,one meta-analysisfound that brain games had “no superior effect” on critical cognitive domains like memory, executive function, visuospatial skills, and language.
The 5 Best Brain Games to Prevent Dementia
Games, in any case, are great exercise for brain stimulation and can be an enjoyable and educational pastime that adds quality to quantity of life. Which brain games can help with cognitive function, especially in older adults? Let’s take a look at a few that pack the biggest punch.
Word Puzzles
Crossword puzzles, word games, word searches, anagrams, and more focus on language, word recall, and word arrangement—all beneficial for warding off dementia in older adults. The more recently viral game Wordle is another beneficial brain game that can stimulate activity that protects brain function. Scrabble and Mad Libs are other fun alternatives.
Jigsaw Puzzles
To preserve memory and reasoning, it doesn’t get better than a jigsaw puzzle. From simple, easy-to-piece-together puzzles to more challenging puzzles that require more motor skills and memory recall, jigsaw puzzles are a fun and effective way to preserve brain health. This is also a fun activity to do with family members or friends as a way to connect and stay engaged socially.
Card Games
Reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and concentration are among the skills you can reap—and the skills most often affected by cognitive decline—from playing a multitude of card games like Go Fish, Bridge, Uno, Rummy, or even Solitaire.
Dice Games
Luck, be a lady tonight! Dice games bring a tinge of luck and excitement to an already-fun pastime, making games like Yahtzee or Backgammon a winner in more ways than one! Dice games have shownin previous researchthat skills like numerical and calculation skills can be preserved and improved with dice games.
Board Games
Board games combine many facets of other games—cards, dice, and other elements—for some good old hearty competition among loved ones. Board games also reduce cognitive decline in older adults. So here are a few games you can dust off and get out of the closet: Trivial Pursuit, LIFE, Chess, Checkers, or Monopoly.
In light of the alarming rise in dementia cases, particularly among women and minority populations, it is crucial for physicians to explore effective strategies to combat this growing problem. While there is no foolproof method to prevent or delay the onset of dementia, studies have shown that engaging in brain games can significantly contribute to maintaining cognitive function in older adults.
Various games have demonstrated their potential to protect brain health, from improving working memory and executive function to preserving general cognition and reducing cognitive decline. By encouraging patients to incorporate these games into their daily routines, physicians can contribute to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and potentially mitigate the impact of dementia. Embracing the power of games as a preventive measure against dementia is a small but significant step toward a healthier future for individuals at risk.
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