While you might not immediately think of sitting in front of a TV and watching game shows as the best activity for your elderly loved one, watching the right game shows can be a great way to not only keep your loved one entertained but also boost cognitive function. This can be great news, especially when the weather or severe health conditions reduce your elderly loved one’s ability to get out of the house safely. Their home care aide can join them as a companion to discuss what they watched.
How Game Shows Keep the Mind Strong
Several cognitive benefits that watching game shows can have for the elderly:
They keep the mind alert and stimulated. Playing along either with another person in the room or on their own can help keep seniors’ minds active and alert.
They improve memory. Game shows that require a person to know the price of something, a trivial fact, or which letters were already called, keep those memory functions in motion and sharp.
They sharpen problem-solving skills. While many games are based on luck, there’s often also some problem-solving that needs to take place. Watching others do it on TV while making their own judgments at home as to what the best next move is is great for keeping those problem-solving skills sharp.
When watched with a friend or a home care provider, TV game shows can also help promote better emotional and social health in several ways:
They are fun. It’s as simple as that. Playing games is almost always fun and even better when done with someone else. There are times to laugh and join forces, and build upon shared experiences.
It reduces loneliness. Even those who are the most introverted and struggle through social engagements can be comfortable sitting by someone they know on the couch and watching a game show together.
They provide comfort. Many game shows have been around for decades, and if you are lucky enough to have the right streaming service, you might even be able to find original game shows from more than 50 years ago. The feelings of nostalgia that watching these shows brings alive can provide comfort to your elderly loved one.
Some Game Show Caveats to Remember
- Game shows are usually 30 minutes or less, so that serves as a good reminder to not have your loved one spend hours in front of the TV watching episode after episode. For many people who watch too many in a row, they begin to “zone out” and lose most ot the cognitive benefits derived from short bursts of watching them.
- Not all game shows are created equal. Look for game shows that require the use of memory, problem-solving, or critical thinking. Great examples include Jeopardy, The Price is Right, Family Feud, and Wheel of Fortune.
- Too much alone TV time can be lonely. When possible, having your loved one watch a game show with someone is always best. A home care provider who visits regularly or a family member can share this special time with your elderly loved one.
So, don’t feel guilty about having your elderly loved one spend some time watching game shows, especially on those dreary weather days when going outside is difficult. They can be a positive part of their daily home care activities.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Services in Edison, NJ, please get in touch with the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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