Puzzles can bring out the inner child in a senior who needs an emotional boost after a stroke. Your aging loved one’s favorite games can also double as a form of therapy when you choose the right ones. These five puzzles are all easily managed in a hospital room or at home, and your loved one will enjoy having a fun source of entertainment while also building his or her cognitive abilities.
1. Handheld Mazes
Handheld mazes range from the simple flat ones with tiny silver balls to complex three-dimensional ones that can take days to complete. Trying to manipulate the ball through the maze challenges hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Your loved one must also use spatial awareness and memory skills to figure out which routes haven’t worked in the past and find new ones.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Green Valley live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or is recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Embrace In-Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
2. Jigsaw Puzzles
Putting together jigsaw puzzles strengthens memory and problem-solving abilities, and these puzzles come in a wide range of skill levels. You can select jumbo-sized pieces that are easier for your loved one to hold while he or she spots the details in the pictures. Puzzles with fewer pieces are also simpler to do right after a stroke. Once your loved one shows progress, you can move up to the next level.
3. Crosswords
Word games are always a great activity when someone is recuperating from a major health issue because they can be done lying in a bed or sitting at a table. Crossword puzzles are especially good for stroke survivors because they require seniors to use their long-term memory to find the right words to put into the boxes. As with other types of puzzles, start with simple crosswords that are large enough for your loved one to easily write in the boxes. Finishing simpler ones may motivate your loved one to keep working on his or her written language skills.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful puzzle-solving companion for a senior recovering from a stroke. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Embrace In-Home Care, a trusted provider of Green Valley home care services. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
4. Wire or Rope Brainteasers
These miniature brain teasers are small enough to easily fit into a tote bag. They also challenge seniors to use their bodies and minds together, which strengthens communication between neural connections. Solving a wire or rope brain teaser requires staying focused on a problem for a longer time than with other types of games, which builds attention span and reasoning abilities.
5. Riddles
Seniors who are confined to bed may not always be able to make the movements required to put together a jigsaw puzzle. Riddles are a fun way to use spoken language to continue to challenge your loved one’s cognitive abilities. They’ll also have you both laughing, which is perfect for raising your loved one’s spirits after a stroke. Look for books with jokes and riddles. Read the questions and encourage your loved one to come up with the punchlines.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Embrace In-Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call us today at (520) 625-2050 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.