The 7 Best Brain Games & Apps for Seniors to Stay Sharp
As the human brain ages, one’s ability to preserve neural connections becomes more important than ever. Seniors who fail to receive adequate cognitive stimulation may face declines in areas such as memory, reasoning skills, and even overall life satisfaction.
The good news is that the various wonders of modern technology are helping aging adults stay mentally sharp for far longer than they have in the past. With that in mind, below is a collection of seven of the best games and apps to battle cognitive decline in seniors.
- Lumosity
- CogniFit
- Peak
- Elevate
- Duolingo
- Left vs. Right
- Memorado
Lumosity
When it comes to popular cognition apps, Lumosity offers one of the most renowned brain game programs in the world. Offering both free and paid versions, Lumosity users can challenge their memory, problem-solving skills, and attention spans with a variety of games and tasks.
What sets Lumosity apart is its commitment to study-based improvements. Over 20 peer-reviewed research studies have measured Lumosity’s usefulness in improving various cognitive functions.
CogniFit
Short for “cognitive fitness,” CogniFit is an excellent app for tracking one’s mental skills and abilities. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s, stroke damage, Parkinson’s disease, and more can benefit from CogniFit’s personalized programs and activities, which help with the following aspects:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Working memory
- Logic and reasoning
- Perception
- Spatial skills
CogniFit really stands out from the crowd of apps with similar intentions thanks to its evidence-based design. It was created by neuroscientists and uses science-based principles to improve and maintain better cognition in older adults.
Peak
Combine a traditional arcade-style gaming experience with cognitive performance reports, and the result is Peak.
When you get started with the app, you’ll be introduced to Coach, a helpful digital assistant. Coach will point out areas you’re struggling in and offer new games and strategies to improve. With each game you play, you’ll be able to compete against your own prior scores to challenge your working memory and do much more.
For seniors, Peak is a great way to not only have fun playing games but enjoy the process of keeping their brains on track!
Elevate
Think back to your school days when your teachers would assess you on basic skills like math, reading, and writing. Bringing back some of those essential foundations is the goal of Elevate. Through challenges and brain exercises, seniors can improve both their verbal and written skills, as well as their mathematical abilities and memory retention.
The best part is that, despite targeting a similar group of skills, using Elevate doesn’t feel like sitting in a boring classroom. Like Peak, Elevate strives to mimic the tried-and-true gaming experience. You’ll get your game on to best yourself in various activities and challenges that strengthen your mind!
Duolingo
Research suggests that learning a second (or third) language in older adulthood may improve cognitive function. That’s great news for seniors looking to sharpen their minds and improve their verbal and written abilities. And what’s even better is that learning a new language has never been easier than it is in the modern age.
With apps like Duolingo, you can start with the basics and work your way toward total language mastery, all while enjoying an intuitive, game-like experience along the way. You can participate in a certain number of minutes of language learning per day, which helps you stick to your goals. And unlike more complicated language programs, Duolingo is specifically designed for beginners, so you won’t have to worry about “falling behind.”
Left vs. Right
The reason it’s important to have steady neural connections between both sides of your brain is simple. Both hemispheres need to communicate in order to produce good judgment, memory, reasoning, adaptability, and reflexes. But as you age, these neural connections tend to decrease.
With an app like Left vs. Right: Brain Games, you can do your part to keep your neural networks sharp and youthful! Available on both the App Store and Google Play, the collection of games is designed to increase connectivity between the two halves of your brain.
Memorado
As you age, you may notice slight declines in your working memory, and you can encourage these skills along with apps like Memorado.
Users participate in different game categories for specific cognitive concerns. For example, if your goal is to improve your focus and attention span, you’d choose from the Concentration game category. That kind of setup allows users to focus on their primary concerns while still having fun and enjoying entertaining challenges.
Boosting your brain health doesn’t have to be boring. With Memorado, you’ll fight against age-related cognitive decline, one game at a time.
Keeping Your Mind Youthful Throughout Your Later Years
You never have to stop learning, growing, and improving as a person. With the advent of mobile, brain-boosting apps, you can sharpen your cognitive skills and keep your mind “fresh” for as long as possible.
Whether you’re learning a new language or ranking against your friends on a brain games leaderboard, you’re making positive progress. Every little bit of cognitive skill-boosting helps as you age!
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
