Effective Brain and Memory Games for Supporting Dementia Care

Dementia is a progressive loss of cognitive abilities—memory, reasoning, language—that are essential for everyday functioning. When these skills decline, routine tasks become challenging.

Although there is no cure, certain interventions can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Among them, structured memory and brain games are frequently discussed for their potential to stimulate neural pathways.

This article reviews current research on how brain games affect cognition and highlights the most promising games for people living with dementia.

Games are more than entertainment; they can actively engage the brain. This is especially valuable for older adults at risk of cognitive decline.

For example, a 2019 study involving seniors who completed 16 weeks of combined physical and cognitive "exergame" training reported significant gains in working memory and executive function.

Another 2019 trial examined computerized cognitive training—targeting reasoning, memory, language, and attention—and found increased gray-matter volume, suggesting preservation of overall cognition.

These findings are relevant to dementia, where memory and reasoning are often compromised. Emerging research indicates that targeted gaming may help maintain or even improve these skills.

A 2020 systematic review evaluated serious games in dementia care and identified three categories with distinct benefits:

• Board games: Enhance memory, communication, and emotional regulation.
• Video games: Can be customized to train specific cognitive domains such as memory and reasoning.
• Virtual-reality games: Offer combined cognitive and physical reinforcement.

The review concluded that early- and mid-stage dementia patients who used serious games showed improvements in short-term memory, reaction time, problem-solving, logical reasoning, and communication.

Nevertheless, the evidence is mixed. A recent meta-analysis reported that brain games were not consistently more effective than control activities for boosting cognition.

In short, while brain-stimulating games hold promise, further high-quality research is needed to clarify their therapeutic role.

Not all games target the same skills. Below is a curated list of games that have shown potential benefits for people with dementia:

• Word puzzles: Crosswords, word searches, and anagrams. Earlier studies suggest crosswords may delay memory loss by strengthening neural pathways involved in knowledge retention.
• Jigsaw puzzles: Long-term engagement appears to support cognition and may slow age-related decline.
• Dice games: Games such as Yahtzee or Bar Dice add an element of chance and competition. A 2020 study of Mahjong reported cognitive benefits after 12 weeks of play among adults with mild cognitive impairment.
• Card games: Go Fish, Bridge, Uno, Solitaire. A 2022 Chinese study linked regular card play with better cognitive function in older adults.
• Board games: Monopoly, Chess, and similar games. Research from 2019 indicated that regular board-game play reduced cognitive decline in individuals aged 70–79.
• Video games: Titles such as Tetris, Candy Crush Saga, Wii Sports, and mobile adaptations of word, card, and board games. Broad evidence shows that well-designed brain-training games can improve cognitive performance in seniors.

Games are only one piece of the puzzle. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends additional activities that support cognition, including:

• Reading: Books, poetry, magazines, newspapers, comics, or digital content.
• Entertainment: Television, radio, or streaming programs that engage attention.
• Arts: Painting, drawing, music, or other creative expression.
• Lifelong learning: Classes, podcasts, YouTube tutorials, or any new skill acquisition.

For individuals with advanced dementia, simpler activities—such as reminiscence, photo viewing, music listening, or gentle conversation—may be more appropriate.

What are the five things you should never say to a person with dementia?

While you cannot control memory loss, you can control your response. To foster empathy and support, avoid:

• Reasoning with them.
• Arguing or confronting them.
• Pointing out their forgetfulness.
• Questioning recent memories.
• Taking their behavior personally.

What is the main trigger for dementia-related behavior?

There is no single trigger; behavioral changes often stem from alterations in the person’s immediate environment, such as noise, lighting, or routine disruptions.

How can you keep a person with dementia engaged?

Adapt activities to focus on sensory engagement—play familiar music, provide tactile objects, or offer a gentle hand massage.

Dementia currently affects roughly 5 million adults aged 65 and older in the United States, with prevalence projected to rise sharply in the coming decades.

Research suggests that brain-stimulating games and other cognitively enriching activities may improve thinking skills in older adults and possibly reduce dementia risk, though definitive conclusions await further study.

Regardless of the scientific verdict, games remain a fun, accessible way to keep the brain active at any age.