3 Easy Memory Games for Seniors
Channel: CohenBrain
Date: 2012-05-03

http://GetBrainGames.com - Scientific Brain Games for Seniors

Surveys of seniors have shown that at least 3 in 5 seniors are concerned about memory loss or loss of mental capacity. Yet aging doesn't have to mean losing memory. In fact, many seniors manage to get smarter and have better memories as they age.

Most senators and many past presidents are over the age of 50. Many CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are over the age of 50 or 60.

It's not age or the passing of time that causes memory loss. It's when the brain ceases to be used that it starts to atrophy. One way to prevent memory loss and improve your memory is to challenge your mind and memory every single day.

Here are three simple and easy memory games to help keep your mind active and your brain healthy.

1. The Matching Cards Game. Take a deck of cards and remove all diamonds and clubs. Then remove all the face cards. In the remaining deck are 20 cards, from Ace to Ten in just hearts and spades. Shuffles these cards and place them face down. Flip two cards over at a time and try to match the cards. Anytime you match two cards, remove them from the table. Try to clear the table in as few turns as possible.

2. The Remember Later Game. Sometime during the day, pick something to remember. For example, you might walk down the hall and tell yourself to remember that 12 plus 12 is 24. The next day, ask yourself: What was the thing you wanted to remember? Try to play this memory game with different things, like tasks, events, people's behaviors or phrases.

3. The Word Association Game. This game stretches your memories of words and concepts. It requires at least two people to play, but can be played with as many as four to six. Pick a category of words, such as foods or people. One person starts wit a word. The next person has to say a word where the first letter is the last letter of the previous word. For example, if the category is "food" and someone says "Apple," the next person might say "Egg," then someone might say "Grape."

These games can all help you keep your mind sharp. Choose a game that you find both fun and challenging. Try to play a memory game every day. If you keep your mind active, you'll find that as you age your mental prowess will grow stronger rather than weaker.

One easy way you can get in the habit of playing memory games is to leverage the power of software. There are many great memory game software that you can download, each designed to be both fun to play and challenging to the mind.