Alzheimer's Brain Strengthening Games

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that affects brain cognizance as well as functionality. The disease affects millions of people, and the number of cases in the future are expected to rise. Keeping the brain exercised and sharp is believed to help stave off the effects of Alzheimer's. Studies, such as ones conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, indicate that mental exercises and brain games can help people who are currently suffering from Alzheimer's.

Basic Tips

• The key in strengthening the brain, whether for dealing with the condition or to stave it off, is to use the brain. The brain is a thinking organ. To exercise it, think and learn. Learning new things, especially using methods that are unfamiliar and new, is the best way to add new pathways in the brain.

  Take up new interests, especially those that are difficult. If something is hard to learn, it is a sure sign that you must work your brain harder to learn it. If you have not been physically active, consider taking up tai chi. It combines a low-impact workout with muscle strengthening and memorization (to learn the form) so that it exercises the brain as well as the body.

  In general, whatever comfortable means you have used to learn in the past are not the best choices for tackling something new. Remember, if something is too easy to learn, then it probably isn't working your brain hard enough. Try something else. And always look for something new to learn.

Play Games

• Many games are geared to sharpen your thinking skills. Do crossword puzzles, word searches and Sudoku, all of which can be found in newspapers, magazines, online and in books. Play solitaire. Or exercise your mind by making up your own games. Watch and read mysteries in which you can try to solve the mystery before the detective. When watching any program, keep your mind alert by trying to guess what will come next. Keep your own score. See which shows you could have written--or at least second-guessed. Try not to let your brain coast, but keep it active by thinking.

  If you have someone to play checkers, chess or other games with, set up a regular time for game play. If you don't know anyone, look for someone on line. Many phones nowadays come with various aps in which you can sign up and play chess and other games against live opponents. Also look into recreation centers and even at local colleges for gaming organizations. Gaming is an active industry with numerous strategy games produced and published every year. There are even conventions devoted to gaming. Research gaming in your area to find new and stimulating games to play.

  Search on line for a variety of games designed to shapened your mind. At gamesforthebrain.com you can find classic games, like checkers and word games, along with memory games. Play Crime Scene to see how quickly you spot details and can pick the suspect out of a line-up. Play Counterfeit in which you study two paintings, noting differences. In Guess The Color you have to deduce a color pattern while being given clues.