Seniors face unique challenges, and puzzling is a great activity that’s both fun and beneficial. In this guide, we’re going to look at the top five reasons why jigsaw puzzles for seniors are a good idea.
For seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, studies show that working on puzzles can help them stay sharp. They get the mental stimulation they need without the activity being too physically taxing. Puzzling also activates problem-solving skills and short-term memory. It requires seniors to pay attention to small details and look for patterns, which can help their cognitive function.
Working on a puzzle is one of those rare activities that is equally relaxing as it is mentally stimulating. Sadly, seniors experience more troublesome anxiety than other age groups. Loss, declining health, and rotating medications are everyday issues for the elderly population.
When a senior sits down to work on a puzzle, they are given time to release their anxieties and have fun. It can put them in a good mood and help them feel some much-deserved relaxation.
For seniors in a living facility, working on a puzzle with other residents is a great way for them to increase their social interactions. It’s important for seniors to feel connected to others, and working on a puzzle with friends can give them a greater sense of purpose.
Caretakers can also get to know their senior clients better by putting together a puzzle with them. It’s a great time for conversation and bonding, which will make seniors feel loved and boost the caretaker-client relationship. Additionally, puzzling is a great activity that grandparents can do with their grandchildren.
Many seniors have to do physical therapy to maintain their fine motor skills. Working on a puzzle is a great form of physical therapy that doesn’t feel like an exercise. However, it’s more powerful than you might think. The small movements required for puzzling are a great way for seniors to use their hands every day.
Lastly, the great thing about putting together a puzzle is that it has a really special end result. Seniors will benefit from the feeling of completion, and they will feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments. Plus, they’ll love having a beautiful puzzle image to look at when they’re done.
The benefits of puzzles for seniors are endless, but the best part is that puzzling is equally as fun as it is good for them. You can keep the seniors in your life stocked up on puzzles when you gift them with a Completing the Puzzle subscription.
