What types of online puzzles are available? Online jigsaw puzzles require attention to minute details, which engages parts of the brain. In a word puzzle, for instance, the elderly hobbyist must concentrate on small letters and the orientation of words. Plus, sitting in front of a computer to solve a puzzle can be a source of stress relief.Ĭognitive decline may be warded off when seniors focus on the details of solving puzzles. Dopamine is released in the brain, rewarding the senior with a flurry of good feelings. Older adults who are successful at solving a puzzle experience a boost in mood. As a result, shifts in perspective and finding adaptable solutions ease the challenges of day-to-day living. Seniors who use different strategies to solve puzzles are able to translate that skill into everyday life. Puzzles require solving, making engaging in the hobby a practice of trial and error. A focus on recalling the shapes and colors of jigsaw puzzle pieces, for instance, boosts short-term memory and other cognitive functions. Seniors who regularly try their hand at solving puzzles, such as word or number puzzles, show improved brain functioning. Following are ten popular online puzzle games to help keep seniors’ brains sharp. A wide range of puzzle-style brain games are available online, allowing older adults to pursue this accessible hobby in the comfort of home.
Solving puzzles of any variety is beneficial for seniors.