Do you have an elderly mother who never seems happy? In recent interactions with your favorite seniors, have you noticed that they just don’t seem like themselves? Many factors impact the quality of life for seniors. Fortunately, participating in trivia for the elderly offers numerous benefits for a senior adult’s well-being. Below, learn more about why you or a loved one should check out a nearby trivia night or plan to host your own event.
5 Ways that Trivia for the Elderly Helps Maintain an Active Mind and MORE!
Trivia for the elderly and other brain games like puzzles are often celebrated for their cognitive benefits. However, their frequent enjoyment may also help enhance participants’ emotional health. Take a closer look at 5 positive impacts of trivia participation as shared below:
- Memory function: Whether the focus of the day is history, sports or movies, the simple opportunity to test the memory on a variety of topics can help support brain function. Although winning a prize is a plus, making the time for name or event recall can help strengthen the memory for years to come. Active recall as in trivia-style challenges in particular supports long–term memory operations.
- Mental stimulation: Trivia is a multifaceted brain sport. From problem-solving to creativity, various cognitive functions may be required depending on factors such as the content, type of question or format of the trivia event. If there is a hand-held device or electronic component to the game time, hand-eye coordination and other motor skills may get a workout as well!
- Knowledge growth: Per WebMD, more learning makes the brain more able to learn. Taking a class at the local college or regularly attending lectures or seminars are ways to support lifelong learning. However, trivia for the elderly is another way to increase knowledge on topics that you may already know about, as well as those about which you are less informed!
- Mood Improvement: In addition to supporting cognitive well-being, playing trivia also promotes emotional well-being. Participating in this activity may help with relaxation or may otherwise distract players from other stressors or sources of anxiety. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment from correctly answered questions or recognition in being part of a team may help increase confidence and self-esteem.
- Social Connections: Trivia time for the elderly can be a solo experience, but its benefits are greater when enjoyed with others. In fact, talking about trivia content with team members provides even more context for recall in the future. Furthermore, social engagement is essential for senior health, especially in reducing the risk of depression in seniors. By reinforcing existing connections or building new friendships through trivia events, seniors support brain health and emotional wellness.
Enhancing the Benefits of Trivia for the Elderly
While there are many beneficial activities for senior citizens, trivia is one of the more accessible for most elderly participants. From meeting up with friends for a weekly coffee shop’s trivia night or continuing the family’s quiz game rivalry during each visit, trivia games can be played virtually anytime and anywhere. Here are three more ideas to help increase the cognitive value associated with trivia events!
Take part in trivia planning!
Experiencing the benefits of trivia for the elderly grows with more opportunities for engagement in these events. Based on research shared by the National Library of Medicine, connecting with community members for their input about topics of interest may not only increase their participation but also further reinforce the memory support associated with interest-driven learning. If you aren’t hosting your own trivia time, speak with the activities coordinator at your assisted living community about your preferred topics or trivia theme recommendations!
Add brain-fueling snacks!
What would a trivia session or any other game time be without delicious snacks? Interestingly, the snacks you choose can further support brain function, according to Northwestern Medicine’s HealthBeat. While salmon and broccoli platters may be a little messy for mid-play nibbling, blueberries, nuts, dark chocolate and coffee are easy to snack on while dominating the scoreboard.
Try computer-based gaming!
It’s not only live trivia events that have positive results when it comes to lowering the risk of memory loss and other cognitive decline. Research from the American Academy of Neurology indicates that using a computer even just to play a quiz game may lower the risk of thinking and memory problems for seniors by up to 30%. Wondering where to start when it comes to online trivia time? Ask your grandkids or a savvy senior friend about which apps to install on your phone or talk to your senior living center’s activity host regarding computer access and game options.
A multilayered approach to wellness is one of the best ways to nurture senior quality of life. In addition to regular exercise, enjoying favorite hobbies like crafts and activities like trivia for the elderly ensures that people are nourishing themselves in body, mind, and spirit. To learn more about these offerings or life as a whole at the Arbors of Hop Brook comprehensive care community, contact us today!