In the stage of older adulthood, it is essential that people constantly train their brain functions to prevent cognitive decline. David Curto, medical director of Sanitas Mayores says that board games "are a resource to maintain the cognitive and physical abilities of the elderly, so, in addition to the social and emotional benefits, they slow down the process of cognitive decline" (Geriatricarea, 2018).
Board games stimulate the executive functions of older adults, which are defined as a "set of cognitive abilities necessary to control and self-regulate one's own behavior" (Cognifit Research, 2022). The basic executive functions are: planning, inhibitory control, working memory, reasoning, decision making and flexibility (Neuron Up, 2022). In addition, they are an excellent playful activity in which emotions, cognitions and motor skills are involved.
Spending time playing board games is a way to actively age by stimulating the cognitive (developmental) dimension of the older adult. And what could be better than actively aging while having fun? In fact, these types of games are pleasurable and even promote social interaction among older adults.
While there are many board games out there, we would like to tell you about three popular games that have been linked to the prevention of cognitive decline.
1. Parcheesi game
There are editions of this game with a large number board to adapt to the visual capacity of older adults. In addition to being attractive due to its colors, it promotes social interaction among older adults, exercises concentration and reasoning; and in older adults with some type of cognitive limitation, it stimulates fine motor skills and precision in manual movements (Bienestar Senior, 2022).
2. Domino
As with the parcheesi game, there is an adapted version of dominoes for older adults with large dominoes. This game encourages concentration, memory, and anticipation regarding the strategies of "opponents" (Senior Care, 2019).
3. Chess
Chess is a game that undoubtedly has benefits for players of all stages of the life cycle, but especially for those who are in older adulthood. This highly complex game stimulates the brain, requires the analysis of different alternatives and decision making.
In addition, it promotes concentration, problem solving, reading skills, memory and prevents cognitive decline (Senior Care, 2019).
Bibliographic references:
Senior Wellness (2022). Parcheesi game.
Cognifit Research (2022) Executive functions. Retrieved from: https://www.cognifit.com/es/funciones-ejecutivas
Senior Care (2019). Checkers, chess and dominoes for seniors. Retrieved from: https://www.cuidadomayor.com/blog/damas-ajedrez-domino-de-mayores/
Geriatricarea (2018) Board games are a tool to slow cognitive decline. Retrieved from: https://www.geriatricarea.com/2018/04/10/los-juegos-de-mesa-son-una-herramienta-para-ralentizar-el-deterioro-cognitivo/
Neuron Up (2022): What are executive functions? Retrieved from: https://www.neuronup.com/areas-de-intervencion/funciones-cognitivas/funciones-ejecutivas/
