Stay Sharp, Stay Happy: The Mental Health Benefits of Puzzle Books for Seniors
Puzzle-solving is an enjoyable activity for all. Be it the New York
Times crossword, a Beauty and the Beast-themed puzzle, or a Financial Times
Sudoku, puzzles are a part of most people's daily routines. They're great for
passing the time. What most people don't know is that they also stimulate the
mind and improve brain functioning. Ergo, they make an excellent activity for
senior citizens.
The benefits of adding puzzles and problem-solving activities to senior
citizens' daily routines in homes and assisted living include:
1.
Maintaining Cognitive Health
Studies have suggested that puzzles are therapeutic for people with
Alzheimer's and dementia. In assisted living communities and nursing homes,
senior citizens often lack opportunities to challenge themselves and support
their cognitive sharpness. This is where puzzles help. They apply parts of the
brain that are not routinely engaged and boost logical and rational thinking
capacity. Sudoku, for example, is an activity that engages most cognitive
skills. The Large Print Sudoku puzzle book by the Coloring Book Warehouse works best for
senior citizens as its bigger font makes it easy to read and comprehend. It's
the perfect recreational brain teaser to support cognitive health.
2. Improvement in Short-Term Memory
Studies have shown that staying active, being more social, dietary
changes, etc., are alternative therapies that slow the repercussions of aging
on the mind. However, not everyone in an assisted living facility can partake
in these. A stroke patient with limited mobility, for instance. Puzzles are a
fun recreational activity that anyone can indulge in.
Word search activities, in particular, help in memorizing sequences. It
is a brain-stimulating activity that sharpens reasoning abilities. By including
puzzles like Large Print Word Search seniors will
remain engaged in a recreational activity that forces them to focus and use
memory and planning to complete word searches.
3. Stress Relief and Emotional Therapy
Whenever people need a break from work, they engage in physical
activities like a workout or a run. With increasing age, counting on physical
activities to relieve stress becomes more improbable by the day. In this
scenario, puzzles, particularly mind games, can make for great stress busters.
They stimulate the brain and allow seniors to feel a sense of control. They
have a calming effect and help seniors sleep better. By extension, slowing
heart rate and blood pressure can improve cardiovascular health and prove
helpful in stressful anxiety-inducing situations.
4. Enhancement of Social Interactions
Social interactions are essential to a person's mental health. Puzzles
and similar activities conducted in groups are a great way to incorporate the
socializing and interaction element that seniors need. This is why puzzle
groups and game clubs are very popular in senior citizen circles.
What better way to ensure interaction than through an activity with
varying difficulty levels and can be attempted by almost anyone? Plan a
post-lunch indoor activity on cold or wet days so that seniors can come
together with a Large Print Crossword for a collaborative hour of fun!
5. Increased Physical Activity
Physical activity is just as important as mental activity. Puzzles and
crosswords require limited movement of hands and fingers which is extremely
beneficial for non-mobile seniors at assisted living homes. They work
wonderfully with seniors with acute arthritis as well. These puzzles may be
their only source of engagement and activity on a given day. Performing these
low-stress activities will not only help with motor skills, but will also keep
seniors engaged.
Puzzles are extremely convenient and require little investment. They
provide hours and hours of fun in tandem with health benefits. They’re
creative, timeless, and available in a pinch if another activity needs to be
canceled. Go ahead and explore these alternatives that will bring joy and
stress relief to all your seniors regardless of their physical capabilities.
Want even more ideas? click on Puzzle Books to view our complete and updated puzzle books in bulk!
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