One of the reasons why people hire caregivers in Chicago is dementia. Older people who develop this disorder experience a decline in their mental ability, making it difficult for them to communicate effectively, focus, or remember certain things. There are numerous types of dementia and some of them are incurable. However, that doesn’t mean that there is no way for you and your loved ones to slow down the effects of this disorder.
Puzzle solving is one of the ways to delay the effects of dementia. To understand how older people can benefit from solving puzzles, read further.
HOW DOES PUZZLE SOLVING HELP PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA?
Like your body, your mind needs exercise too. Puzzle solving is a form of exercise that can help slow down the effects and reduce the risks of dementia. How? The mind has two hemispheres: the right one and the left one. The right one is in charge of emotions while the left one manages linear functions. When you utilize both hemispheres, your brain function improves. Solving puzzles allows you to use both the right and left hemisphere, improving your memory and other cognitive functions.
Why do you use both hemispheres when solving puzzles? You utilize your left hemisphere to figure out how to solve the puzzle. Meanwhile, the right hemisphere reflects your reaction regarding the activity. Most people become invested in getting it right; this means that they are elated once they achieved their goal and upset if they can’t seem to solve the problem.
WHICH PUZZLES SHOULD I TRY?
There are various puzzles that you can try to solve. Below are some of them:
- Word Puzzles
Solving word puzzles will not just help keep your spelling skills sharp, it will also allow you to add new words in your vocabulary. Invite others to play this exciting game with you. Make it a point to learn a few new words every week to enhance your memory. - Number Puzzles
One of the things that might deteriorate as you age are your math skills. To prevent this from happening, try solving some number puzzles weekly. Games, such as Sudoku, will test your memory. And since it involves adding and subtracting numbers, it will certainly keep your math skills sharp.
- Jigsaw Puzzles
Do you want to enhance your short-term memory and hand-eye coordination? Try solving jigsaw puzzles! This fun and exciting game will certainly keep you busy for hours or even days. You can start with something easy and small before trying out more complicated jigsaw puzzles in the coming weeks. - Snake Cube
Architects and engineers have a good understanding of space and they will surely enjoy solving a snake cube. Sit down and consider how each block should be positioned in order to form a cube. After solving the puzzle, disintegrate the cube and try forming a cube again, this time, beginning from the other end of the snake.
Dementia can be difficult to beat. This is why you should do as much as you can to try and reduce your risks of developing this disease or ‘ if you already have it ‘ delay its effects. Solving the puzzles stated above will exercise your brain, keeping your cognitive functions sharp.
Leave a Reply