Adapting Games to Ensure Success for People with Memory Loss
I am often asked what are some good activities for someone with dementia, and my response is always the same; any activity. The secret, however, is knowing how to adapt an activity to match the person’s ability.
Playing cards, board games, and other table games is fun and can easily be modified to stay connected to your loved one with memory loss. These activities are also for cognitive stimulation, socialization, and promoting a feeling of self-worth and well-being. Too often, expectations of those experiencing cognitive decline is so low, and sadly, they will gladly meet our expectations. Focusing on the person’s strengths and observing what they can do, rather than what they can’t do, is key in offering a life of quality and promoting over-all well-being.
Vintage games not only engage with the person, but also can be used as a meaningful visual prop to start a conversation. Jacks, SpinTops (with strings), Marbles, Pick-up Sticks, and Yo Yo’s can help people with dementia retrieve memories from their childhood and reminisce about school or recall friends in the neighborhood. You can find these at a Cracker Barrel. They have a plethora of vintage toys as well as candies and different type of sodas that are perfect for talking about the “old days.”
Red Rover, Tag, Jump Ropes (Double Dutch!), Hide and Seek, and Kick the Can are familiar games for outside play. One of the first games centered towards kids was Hop-Scotch, which came from ancient military trainings during the Roman Empire. The courts were over 100 feet long. You might be surprised how long many board games have been around. Lizzie Magie invented The Landlords Game, that eventually was called Monopoly, that was introduced in 1935.
Playing table games such as Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Dominos, and Uno, are easy to adapt by disregarding the original rules. Play with the least restrictive boundaries. With Uno, remove the “nasty” cards such as Draw Four, Reverse, Skip… and play with the color cards with numbers. Deal 6-8 cards and have one person start by throwing card in the middle. Everyone can then play one card that matches that color and number. If that is too difficult, matching either the number or the color would work. The next person will throw out a new card. Only take turns to start a new card and let everyone play a card to match the center card. The first to discard all cards is the new dealer.
Play Scrabble without the board and just give the person 4-5 letters that you have chosen to spell a word. Dominos can be fun by just matching the tiles end to end, regardless of the number on the tile.
Always start with an idea, and assess the ability level of the person, and then make more adaptations as necessary to ensure success. You can also start a game, and just follow the person’s lead. The idea is not to “win” or be the best player, but to have meaningful interactions.
Games and activities are also a great way to assess any changes in the progression of dementia. Notice any changes in their skills and you will better understand other areas in their life that need understanding.
A 2013 study in France found that over a 20 year period, the risk of dementia was lower in board game players (by 15 percent ) vs. people with dementia that did not play table games. Stimulating, leisure activities are considered possible protective factors against dementia and cognitive decline.
So have fun, you can benefit as well!
If you would like more information on our Memory Ministry, Memory Cafe, or support trainings we offer, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@firstumc.org.