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7 Brain-Training Games for Memory Improvement
Written by OurParents Staff
about the author
4 minute readLast updated February 7, 2024
Today, it’s common to have a laptop, a tablet, and a smartphone right within reach. Whenever you feel like playing a game, it’s as easy as tapping an app to start. Brain-training games take advantage of this by offering puzzles and challenges that can be played anytime, whether for hours or just a few minutes. These apps and puzzles can be a great use of time for older adults, as memory improvement games can keep their brains active and healthy. Let’s take a look at seven of the best brain exercises for seniors, available on cell phones, tablets, or computers, that have earned positive reviews.
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In this Article
1. Lumosity
Free in the App Store and through Google Play, Lumosity offers an ever-expanding set of science-based games that are good for your brain cognition. These cognitive activities for seniors are designed to improve your loved one’s working memory and stimulate their brain on a daily basis. These games are specifically designed to strengthen users’ ability to pay attention to important cues to solve a task at hand. They also train users to ignore distractions. Lumosity is one of the most popular brain-training games and is used by more than 100 million people worldwide.
Read more:10 Activities for Seniors With Dementia
2. Dakim BrainFitness
Self-described as a “brain fitness program,” Dakim BrainFitness offers a set of games and puzzles designed to give the brain a comprehensive workout. The program provides access to more than 100 individual brain exercises for seniors, all designed to improve attention and concentration — the very kind of mental tasks that have been demonstrated to play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s and related symptoms. Try Dakim BrainFitness for free on its website.
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3. Peak
Featuring activities developed by a University of Cambridge professor, Peak is an app that helps train the brain with more than 45 fun games and puzzles. The app gives users the chance to keep their mental skills sharp with “daily workouts” and exercises that can be completed in under five minutes. The app also allows users to compete against their friends and family members. Peak is available in both free and pro versions through Google Play and the App Store.
4. MindMate
With more than 1 million users, MindMate has a wide audience of seniors and people with dementia. Users have access to a collection of brain games that help with memory, which are all scientifically designed to improve cognitive speed, attention, and problem-solving. MindMate goes beyond the features of other apps by also offering nutrition advice, video-guided physical exercises, reminders, and music and movies from past decades. MindMate is available for free on the App Store and the MindMate website.
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5. CogniFit Brain Training
Available for free on the App Store, CogniFit Brain Training gives users access to a wide variety of fun games designed by neuroscientists. Once in the app, your loved one can track their progress and even start off with a cognitive assessment. For seniors who like to get a bit competitive, the app also provides an option to “challenge your friends.” This makes it an even more engaging mind-activity app for seniors.
6. Constant Therapy
Constant Therapy is an app designed by clinicians and scientists to help people with dementia improve their talking, thinking, and memory skills. After setting specific therapy or rehabilitation goals, the app provides personalized cognitive exercises for seniors that adjust to their progress. While this service has a monthly subscription fee, users can sign up for a 14-day free trial first to see whether it’s a good fit. Download Constant Therapy from Google Play or the App Store.
7. Elevate
Elevate helps users work on focusing, remembering things, communicating, thinking fast, and solving math problems with more than 40 brain exercise games. The app also lets seniors track how well they’re doing and see their progress on a calendar. Elevate is available on Google Play and the App Store. Users can sign up for a seven-day free trial before opting into the paid yearly subscription. Coupled with brain-training games, professional guidance can provide a well-rounded approach to maintaining or improving mental agility. However, if you are concerned about memory loss or dementia in your loved one, it’s important to seek prompt medical care. A health care professional can perform diagnostic testing and provide personalized advice and treatment options.
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