Do Brain Games Help?

Bob DeMarco is a CareGiver and Blogger Caregiver I am a caregiver. My mother, Dorothy, is 92 years old and suffers... Send Message Subscribe: Bob DeMarco

Sunday, July 13, 2008
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There is a lot of controversy around brain games. Skeptics say, no they don't really help. Others believe they are of enormous help in keeping the brain sharp or helping those with Alzheimer's.My mother plays Slingo on the computer. I believe it helps. If nothing else it keeps her brain active and I ...

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Sue
Monday, July 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM

Thanks again Bob for a great article on games and keeping the brain young. Here are a few other posts/articles that might be of interest.

Free Online Tests and Games to Strengthen Your Brain

Tell Us What You Think About These Brain Games!

Five Easy Tricks for Keeping Your Brain Young

Hope this helps and all the best, sue

game
N.C.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM

I believe that any activity like game or exercise helps the brain for Alzheimer's patients. However, not everyone does games. e.g., my father-in-law in the age of 87 is antisocial and was very much a scientist and his only interest is/was science. Now his logic is lost and he cannot analyze his science anymore. But it is no way to have him play these layman games. But the caregivers can talk to him like it is a game. Even though he cannot play real games, his mind is like that of a child. So anything game-like is good for him.

I am glad your Mom is not so confused and sounds to me she is sound and alert given her old age. I love your posts which are educational.

Take care,

Nina

game
N.C.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM

I believe that any activity like game or exercise helps the brain for Alzheimer's patients. However, not everyone does games. e.g., my father-in-law in the age of 87 is antisocial and was very much a scientist and his only interest is/was science. Now his logic is lost and he cannot analyze his science anymore. But it is no way to have him play these layman games. But the caregivers can talk to him like it is a game. Even though he cannot play real games, his mind is like that of a child. So anything game-like is good for him.

I am glad your Mom is not so confused and sounds to me she is sound and alert given her old age. I love your posts which are educational.

Take care,

Nina

game
N.C.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 11:37 AM

I believe that any activity like game or exercise helps the brain for Alzheimer's patients. However, not everyone does games. e.g., my father-in-law in the age of 87 is antisocial and was very much a scientist and his only interest is/was science. Now his logic is lost and he cannot analyze his science anymore. But it is no way to have him play these layman games. But the caregivers can talk to him like it is a game. Even though he cannot play real games, his mind is like that of a child. So anything game-like is good for him.

I am glad your Mom is not so confused and sounds to me she is sound and alert given her old age. I love your posts which are educational.

Take care,

Nina

re: game
Bob DeMarco
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 02:40 PM

Nina...

Actually, my mother suffers from Alzheimer's. When I first started taking care of her full time she was very antisocial and downright mean. Little by little I got her exercising in a gym class and playing games on the computer. As she withdrew, she started refusing to go to the gym class for seniors at Gold's gym. I was exasperated. Finally, I decided to start taking her to the gym at night. I came to this conclusion after she repeatedly said she didn't want to be around those people in the gym (seniors) and they didn't want her there.

So my point here is, just listen. Sometimes you can interpret from what they say what they may or may not do. I know that sounds kind of simplistic but its worth the effort.

I know how difficult it can be when a loved one with Alzheimer's gets into an antisocial behavior. Those patterns are almost impossible to stop. Unless you can introduce a new and different pattern which they accept. In this case, my mother goes to the gym at night and doesn't have to be around "those people that don't want her there". On the way there she might be angry or totally non-communicative. On the way out she is talking and might even smile.

I understand your situation is very different. But I thought I would pass this along just in case it helps you in other areas. Sometimes if you listen around the edges of what they are saying you get a bright idea.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my share post.

Bobby

re: re: game
N.C.
Friday, July 18, 2008 at 07:03 PM

You are welcome! Sorry I hit the submit key 3 times as the screen was slow...

Anyway, I am glad you are so close to your Mom!

Have a nice weekend!

Nina