Each year, approximately 56,000 Australians have a stroke.[1] Improvement in stroke treatments and the awareness of the need for early intervention when someone has a stroke have improved the survival rates. However, memory issues are one of the common side effects of surviving a stork. At Home Care Assistance, we know how big a difference it can make to a loved one’s life if their memory can be optimised after a stroke. So, we have compiled a list of five games you can play with your loved one to enhance their memory after a stroke.
- Puzzles
Puzzles can be a great way to keep your loved one occupied after a stroke and stimulate their mind. The mental and visual skills required to find the puzzle pieces can help improve your loved one’s logical thinking. The logical thinking and problem-solving needed to assemble puzzles can also help their memory. Try starting with easier puzzles and working on more challenging ones as they recover.
- Trivia Board Games
Trivia board games can be a great social activity for your loved one as they recover and help their memory as they think of the answers. To start easy, you could even make your own game using questions about a favourite topic your loved one has. Trivia exercises your loved one’s mind, just as exercise does the body.
- Music Games
Playing popular songs your loved one has enjoyed can bring back good memories and be a fun way to boost memory recall as they try to recall the song and band. Music also boosts brain wave activity and concentration, language skills, cognitive skills, and emotional well-being. If they are keen, you can even have your mini dance party to the music to encourage physical activity.
- Video Games
While we traditionally think of video games as a young person’s domain, they are great for people recovering from a stroke. Whether it be using an app or video console, there are many options available, and you can start with something simple and work up to more complicated games. These games are great for encouraging thinking skills. There is a range of video consoles and games available that are suitable for older people. Plus, you can incorporate interactive games as they recover to boost their physical activity.
- Word Games
Word games help refresh your loved ones’ vocabulary and improve their attention span and spatial awareness. Word search games and crosswords are brain-stimulating games that can help with verbal, visual and informational memory loss. These sorts of games can also boost short-term memory and improve the ability to follow instructions.
Strokes can profoundly affect a person’s life, including their memory. Improving a person’s memory after a stroke can make a big difference to their quality of life and their ability to live independently. Games are a great way to help improve your loved one’s memory after a stroke and have some fun along the way. Whichever games you choose, start with an accessible version and gradually work up to more complex versions as your loved one’s attention and memory improve. You may also need to start playing in short bursts, progressively for longer as they recover.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefit and comfort to your quality of life while living independently. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions for independent living. For more information, contact a Home Care Assistance near me today.
[1] https://brainfoundation.org.au/disorders/stroke/#:~:text=(depression%2Fanxiety)-,Long%2Dterm%20effects,die%20of%20stroke%20each%20year.
