As I’ve worked with older adults over the years, one truth has remained constant: keeping the brain active is just as important as keeping the body in shape. Just like we exercise our muscles to stay physically strong, we also need to give our minds a good workout to stay mentally sharp.
That’s why I’m passionate about brain games and the vital role they play in promoting cognitive health, especially as we age. In my role, I travel throughout the community and lead seminars in independent and assisted living facilities. These sessions are interactive, sensory-rich, and above all, fun. But there’s a deeper purpose behind each activity. Every brain game we do is rooted in neuroscience and aimed at keeping the mind flexible, sharp, and engaged.
Why Are Brain Games So Important for Seniors?
Many people think of brain games as simple entertainment—a way to pass the time, but they are so much more than that. For seniors, in particular, brain games are a form of mental fitness. They help preserve memory, improve attention, increase mental flexibility, and even support emotional well-being.
When we repeat the same daily routines over and over, our brains don’t get the stimulation they need to grow. Doing familiar tasks doesn’t challenge us or spark new neural activity. That’s why I always tell participants in my seminars: “Doing the same thing all the time is killing your brain.” You have to switch things up and challenge yourself with new tasks if you want to keep your mind sharp.
The brain, much like any muscle, needs to be used in new and challenging ways to remain healthy. When we engage in unfamiliar tasks or sensory experiences, the brain creates new neural pathways, strengthening cognitive resilience. These pathways can help delay or even prevent the onset of age-related conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
What Are Neurobics?
One of the most powerful tools I use in my work is neurobics—a term coined by Dr. Lawrence Katz, a professor of neurobiology at Duke University. Neurobics is often described as “aerobics for your neurons.” Unlike traditional brain games that might focus on numbers or words, neurobic exercises involve using multiple senses at the same time—like smell, touch, hearing, and taste—to stimulate the brain in new ways.
Neurobics isn’t just about doing puzzles or memorizing facts. It’s about doing everyday things differently and intentionally engaging your senses to challenge your brain. This kind of sensory engagement builds new neural connections and supports brain plasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and grow.
Here’s what I tell people all the time: the more your brain struggles with a task, the more it’s working — and that’s a good thing! It’s during that struggle that the brain builds and strengthens these.
Fun and Functional: Brain Games I Use in My Seminars
When I lead brain health workshops, I always bring a mix of neurobic activities that are playful but deeply beneficial. Here are some of the activities that I regularly use with seniors to help them exercise their brains:
The Coin Game
In this tactile activity, I blindfold participants and hand them different coins—a penny, a nickel, a dime, a quarter. They must identify each coin using only their sense of touch. At first, it seems simple, but as we add more coins and increase complexity, the game becomes a true sensory challenge. It forces the brain to shift from visual to tactile recognition, which creates new neural connections.
The Food Game
Another popular activity is one that involves tasting different types of food. Participants are blindfolded and given small bites of five different foods. Using their sense of smell, touch, and taste, they try to identify each item. This game engages multiple senses at once and strengthens the brain’s ability to process sensory input without relying on sight. Plus, it’s a lot of fun—and often leads to laughter and connection between the seniors.
Non-Dominant Hand Challenges
This involves doing activities that you would normally do with your dominant hand and doing them with your non-dominant hand to challenge your brain muscles. For example, doing activities like brushing your teeth or combing your hair with your non-dominant hand. It might feel awkward or even silly at first, but that’s exactly the point! These types of challenges force your brain to work in a different way than it’s used to. That struggle is where the magic happens—new neural pathways are being formed, and coordination is improved.
The Drawing Game
This game is fantastic for teamwork and communication. One person describes a picture in detail, while their partner tries to draw it based on those verbal instructions. No peeking allowed! This exercise helps improve language skills, visual processing, listening comprehension, and creative thinking—all at once.
Aside from the actual brain games and neurobics, I also encourage seniors to switch up their daily routine to mentally challenge themselves.
The Power of Switching Up Your Routine
Beyond structured games, one of the simplest yet most effective things you can do for your brain is to change your routine.
Take a different route to the store, sit in a different seat at the dinner table, or try a new hobby. Even these small changes help keep your brain alert and engaged. Routine can be comforting, but too much of it can dull the mind. By “switching things up,” you challenge your brain to think differently, increasing mental flexibility and adaptability.
Incorporating Mindfulness into Brain Health
In addition to neurobics and brain games, I always include mindfulness practices in my sessions. Mindfulness is the act of being fully present, observing your thoughts, feelings, and environment in the moment without judgment.
I guide participants through gentle breathing exercises and grounding techniques, helping them focus on the present moment. This practice has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and support emotional regulation, which are incredibly important for maintaining cognitive health as we age.
Mindfulness isn’t just calming—it’s energizing for the brain. It enhances self-awareness, reduces distractions, and strengthens the part of the brain responsible for attention and memory. When combined with brain games, mindfulness creates a powerful, well-rounded approach to mental well-being.
Lifelong Learning: A Key to Cognitive Longevity
One of the messages I emphasize most is the importance of never stopping learning. It doesn’t have to be formal education—it could be learning how to play a new card game, taking a dance class, or even experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
When you're learning, you’re challenging your brain to work in new ways. That means more neural activity, more brain engagement, and more mental growth. Even the smallest new skill can make a big difference over time.
Aging with Intention: A Brain-Healthy Lifestyle
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my workshops, it’s this: you have the power to care for your brain—and it can be fun. By intentionally engaging in brain games, neurobics, and mindfulness practices, you’re not only supporting your cognitive abilities but also embracing a joyful, active approach to aging.
These brain-boosting activities don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether you’re identifying coins while blindfolded, brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand, or simply taking a new route on your walk, every small change contributes to a healthier brain.
If you’re interested in exploring more about brain games and how they can benefit you or a loved one, to learn more about brain games listen you can listen to my “Cognitive Fitness: The Importance of Exercising Your Brain as a Senior” podcast. I dive deeper into the science behind cognitive fitness and share more practical tips for keeping your brain strong and sharp.
Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. With the right tools and mindset, we can all stay mentally active, independent, and full of life. Start with one brain game today. Your future self will thank you.
