Author- Kathy Martin, Brooks Clubhouse Manager
Hello again. I want to follow up on a previous post I made about fun cognitive activities . Who knew there would be so many fun ways to challenge our brain and have fun with our friends and/or family? Here are more games that help with brain (cognitive) function.
- Scrabble – helps with visual scanning; word retrieval; math calculation (scoring), sequencing; and cognitive flexibility. Possible modifications include using a dictionary as an external aid, eliminating double and triple scoring, or adding a time limit to increase difficulty. Not only is this something that helps your brain, it can also be a source of team building and friendship. See some of our Brooks Clubhouse members enjoying a game in the photo below.
- Scrabble Sentence Cubes – can help with sequencing, reading, planning, cognitive flexibility, turn taking, and interaction. Possible modifications include eliminating the bonus points or have the participant play against themself.
- Scruples -aids in decision making, perspective taking, abstract thinking, and awareness of others. To make this game a little easier, participants can omit challenges to responses, work as team, and use questions without predictions in more of a social interaction format.
- Simon – helps increase attention; sequencing; and memory. Possible modifications to make the game a litle easier include rehearsing before responding or working as a team.
- Slapjack – this action packed card game can help with attention/vigilance, impulse control, speed of information processing and visual discrimination. Possible modifications to reduce complexity is to rehearse before responding or work as a team.
- Trivial Pursuit – this fun trivia game can help remote memory and reading. Possible modifications to help make this complex trivia game a little easier include forming teams, providing clues, and awarding a “pie” for any correct answer.
- UNO – this game, usually played as a child, is great for adults too. UNO helps with attention and vigilance, divided attention, visual discrimination, and low-level decision making. Possible modifications to help make this a bit easier include omitting the “UNO” rule, omitting wild cards, and focusing on colors alone before adding number and verbal prompts. This competitive yet friendly game is enjoyed by some of our Brooks Clubhouse members below.
- Whatzit – helps with abstract thinking and cognitive flexibility. Possible modifications to help make the game easier include selecting simpler cards for play and providing a list of possible relationships between words.
- Who Dun It? – is a game that helps with reasoning, cognitive flexibility, memory, attention, and use of external aids. Possible modifications include providing additional forms for recording information or working in teams.
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