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Participating in various types of games, be it board games, ball games, or card games, provides valuable mental stimulation and social opportunities for people living with dementia.
In the context of long-term care, the value of games goes far beyond mere entertainment.
Playing games can offer a wide range of benefits for seniors and can enhance cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social connections, contributing to a richer quality of life.
Benefits can include:
For Activity Coordinators, the challenge is to identify games that align with the cognitive and physical abilities of clients at various stages of dementia.
It's essential to adapt games not just for those with dementia, but also for seniors with other specific needs, such as wheelchair users or those with sensory impairments.
The key is to keep it simple and use your expertise to adjust activities accordingly. If something isn't working, it's okay to change course. When selecting games, it is important not to over-estimate what your clients are capable of, the objective is to enjoy the activity while connecting with others and/or learning a new skill. However, don’t underestimate your clients either! Very often they will surprise you with their hidden talents.
The activities below are adaptable and aim to offer fresh inspiration for enhancing your Activity Program and promoting laughter, enjoyment, and social engagement.
Jenga is a wooden block game that promotes physical coordination and concentration. Players build a tower and take turns removing and stacking blocks, making the tower increasingly unstable. It's simple to set up and suitable for most people. Adapt the game according to the ability of players, such as by starting with a shorter tower for quicker rebuilds.
Qwirkle is a game similar to dominos but with colored shapes. Players match colors and shapes. To adapt for seniors with dementia, consider reducing the number of tiles each player starts with or focus solely on color-matching or shape-matching rather than both,
This game is an ideal way to socialize with new clients. It involves open-ended questions on cards and dry-erase boards for writing answers. The questions spark conversation and reveal personal preferences. For seniors with dementia, you could have a designated person write answers for them, making it easier to participate and share their thoughts.
Spinning tops, especially the traditional wooden ones with a short iron tip and string, can evoke fond memories for many seniors, including those with dementia. The simple act of winding them up and watching them spin can provide not only a boost in motor skills but also a pathway to reminiscence about their youth.
Quoits is an age-old game that can be played both indoors and outdoors, involving six rope rings and a wooden spike. Players position themselves at a set distance from the spike and take turns throwing the rings. The aim is to loop as many rings as possible over the spike. This game provides an opportunity to improve hand-eye coordination and is easily adaptable and enjoyable for participants of various ability levels.
Bean bag games are highly versatile, suitable for activities like target practice, tossing, juggling, clapping and catching, or indoor shuffleboard. Whether homemade or purchased, these games are easily adaptable for seniors with dementia, offering a range of options to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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Bean Bag Toss Game
Charades is a lively game that can be easily adapted for seniors, including those with dementia. Players use acting to silently convey words or phrases to their team. Start with simple words and progress to themes like TV shows or movies, allowing participants to engage both physically and cognitively.
Help us add to this list of games for people living with dementia!
What games have you found to work well?
Thank you!!!
Glad this makes your job easier. You must be a great activity Director.