Any older adult recovering from a stroke is going to need to put in a lot of time and effort to make as many important gains as possible during the recovery process, especially within the first 3–4 months. This doesn’t mean some aspects of the stroke recovery process during and after this initial period can’t also be enjoyable and engaging. One way to make this possible is with puzzles. Below you’ll find five suggestions for puzzles that can be both beneficial and stimulating for senior stroke survivors.
1. Traditional Jigsaw Puzzles
There are many types of traditional jigsaw puzzles that can be stimulating but not excessively difficult for stroke survivors. Start off with basic puzzles with a limited number of pieces and let your loved one work his or her way up to more challenging ones. Jigsaw puzzles stimulate multiple parts of the brain while also increasing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful puzzle-solving companion for a senior recovering from a stroke. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Crossword/Word Puzzle Books
Language abilities, recognition and recall capabilities, and manual dexterity are just some of the skills a senior stroke survivor may be able to recover with crossword puzzles collected together in book form. Word searches and other word-based puzzles rebuild similar skills along with perceptual abilities. Getting these types of puzzles in book form is beneficial because it’s a convenient way for seniors to choose which puzzles appeal to them. They can also easily switch to other puzzles if they’re having difficulty.
3. Memory Puzzles
These puzzles come with a pack of cards that can be wiped clean and used multiple times. A special pen is also included to allow seniors to write on the cards. Memory puzzles are good for senior stroke survivors because they stimulate neurons and keep the brain active and engaged. Puzzle card packs typically include:
- Brain-stimulating puzzles
- Word searches
- Memory games
- Logic puzzles
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Portland Home Care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
4. Sudoku
Senior stroke survivors don’t always need to be treated with kid gloves when it comes to how parts of the brain recover and rewire. Logic-based numeric puzzles like sudoku are helpful because they stimulate the brain in a way that boosts the ability to complete more complex processes. This added stimulation extends to all parts of the brain, including areas responsible for both cognitive and motor skills.
5. Mahjong
Stroke survivors sometimes have difficulty making meaningful connections between images. Fortunately, this is a skill that can be relearned over time. One stimulating way to do this is with mahjong, a tile-matching puzzle game. Mahjong can be played for free online and adjusted based on skill level.
You can also purchase a physical version of this puzzle game. This form of mahjong can also help with finger manipulations and other fine motor skills. If mahjong is too challenging for your loved one at the moment, consider similar types of matching puzzles that could include:
- Match-the-picture puzzles – one piece is selected and an attempt is made to find the one that matches until all matches have been found
- Match It! – a counting puzzle game that can be stimulating for older stroke survivors
- Self-correcting (each piece only has one way to fit) matching puzzles
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Portland elder care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at 503-664-7934 today.
