An ONS 2018 report stated 18 per cent of the population i.e. approximately 850,000 people aging over 65 years in the United Kingdom are suffering from dementia.
Spending time with the one who has been diagnosed with dementia should not be intimidating. As the disease progresses, they may not be able to accomplish even the simplest of tasks or may tend to forget the basic things too quickly. The best way to spend quality time with the elderly is to play online games with them.
Before We Start, here are a Few Suggestions to Consider
Avoid criticism: Don’t criticize the people around the patient for not taking care. You are not living with them all the time so you have no idea what is going on in there. There is nothing more disheartening for the caregiver to hear than fault-finding individuals. If you feel more help is required, go ahead and give it but stop finding faults in everything.
Be a good listener: Take out some time (half an hour or so) from your busy schedule and talk to the person. To your surprise, that person will be very happy. Moreover, this initiative costs nothing.
Playing is anytime fun… Agree?
The best game is that which lets you and your elderly share fun hours together. The game will also combat boredom that enhances the memory.
How will you decide which game will help reduce the effects of dementia?
• A game that offers the hand-eye coordination with the help of manipulation of different parts.
• The game that enhances their mental ability.
• The one that boosts the verbal articulation of ideas.
• That gorge mental connections with associations.
• No matter what the age of the player is, the game should be engaging throughout and the experience has to be amazing.
Go For Online Puzzle Games
Not all games are good for dementia suffering patients. And the one playing the game with them should show patience and understanding towards them while guiding on the right activity.
Easy crossword puzzles are considered as one of the best games that enhance the memory of dementia suffering patients. Making the dementia suffering elderly engaged and happily occupied, keeps them in a good mood. After all, the better they feel, the smoother the day becomes. Few activities help them to enjoy life while forgetting about the mental issue they are suffering from.
Observe Them Carefully
Make sure they understand the rules of the daily crossword carefully. Are they interested in the game? Are they participating actively? You have to make sure that they are enjoying themselves.
Why Online Crossword?
You have to face a continuous struggle to build motivation so that they can interact with you. Diverting their mind and making them play crossword games slows down cognitive decline.
The most important part of solving the crossword puzzle is the social aspect that it brings. Adults can help them while they read the clues and try guessing the answers. You can establish a fun, playful environment that encourages the elderly to play the crossword.
Here are the other benefits that the game offers:
• Alertness
• Creativity
• Mindfulness
• Laughter
• Changed demeanor
You will realize that your loved ones have become more enthusiastic while participating in the game especially when it has a simple game-play. The benefit of solving a crossword puzzle for some suffering from dementia and similar mental disorders cannot be denied.
Make them read the clues carefully, understand them and then come to an answer. Make sure you help them make notes of small words that sometimes repeat in crosswords. They will surely enjoy hours of fun and tactile stimulation as they play the crossword game. The best part is the puzzle games are not only benefitted for dementia patients but for everyone who likes to play the game.
Well, watching someone’s declining health is often sad. Talking about various emotions involved can sometimes relieve stress. You don’t need any special skill or expertise for recovery. One should always be willing to extend help, stick with efforts and invest a small amount of time. Later on, you will definitely look back on time and will be proud of yourself. Life without regrets is indeed worth a try.
