Brain Games for Dementia: Supporting Memory, Reasoning and Communication

The different types of dementia can affect individuals living with the condition in different ways. Maintaining cognitive function for as long as possible is vital because it helps to preserve personal independence and improves overall quality of life.

Alongside using memory aids to support independence in the early stages of dementia, taking part in brain games can help keep your loved one’s mind active.

At The Bill House, we understand the value of routine for dementia residents. We provide specialist dementia care from our residential care home to support you and your loved one through this difficult time, whether you are moving your loved one with early onset dementia into a care home or supporting your loved one through the later stages of dementia.

How brain games help dementia residents

Brain games for dementia are interactive puzzles, board games and digital exercises designed to stimulate memory, reasoning and concentration. They can be enjoyed by people living with dementia at any stage.

Brain games can be used to:

• Keep the mind active and engaged
• Encourage conversation and social contact
• Provide structure, routine and a sense of achievement

Taking part in these activities can help reduce boredom and restlessness, support confidence and make the day feel more familiar and predictable. Brain games can also be used as part of a wider approach to specialist dementia care alongside speech and language therapy or nature-based therapy to help meet the needs of your loved one.

The brain games used in specialist dementia care

Brain games can be used to meet your loved one’s care needs during the different stages of dementia.

Care homes can support independence for residents by offering a range of games to keep your loved one’s mind active and give structure to the day. At The Bill House, this is one of the many ways we help your loved one, by improving quality of life with specialist dementia care.

Board games

Board games can provide structured opportunities to practise memory, decision-making, problem solving and turn-taking, whilst also encouraging conversation with others.

In the early stages of dementia, games with more complex rules can help maintain reasoning and strategic thinking, whilst simpler games may be more appropriate as dementia progresses. Playing together with carers, family members and other residents within a residential care home can support social interaction and communication.

Video games

Video games can provide interactive challenges that may involve memory, attention, problem-solving and following instructions. Some multiplayer games are designed to encourage communication and social interaction.

Simpler and slower-paced games can be adapted for your loved one during the middle stages of dementia, with more complex games potentially better suited to individuals in the early stages. The emphasis of these video games should always be on enjoyment and engagement rather than performance.

Word puzzles or jigsaws

Word puzzles and jigsaws can encourage people to recall information, recognise patterns, solve problems and communicate their thinking.

In the early stages of dementia, crosswords, wordsearches and more challenging puzzles may be suitable, whilst simpler matching activities, picture puzzles and large-piece jigsaws can be adapted for the middle stages. In later stages, familiar images or objects can provide sensory and memory cues to support storytelling and reminiscence, when completing a puzzle independently becomes difficult.

These games give your loved one a chance to practise short-term memory, reaction time, problem solving, logical reasoning and communication, and to enjoy time with other people.

Choose a residential care home like The Bill House

Navigating care with confidence at this difficult time is crucial.

At The Bill House, our specialist dementia care is tailored to your loved one’s needs. We can provide a range of brain games on an ongoing basis to support them through each stage of dementia.

Contact us to find out what to expect when moving into our care home and to see how we can care for your loved one.