Hello!
Please consider using social distancing to enjoy some of these word games with your residents and staff. Please reach out to us with any questions, and feel free to share with others!
Best wishes,
Stay Sharp Volunteers
It is heartbreaking to think that social isolation is not new for some older adults. A report by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that 13.8 million of community dwelling older adults in live alone. Research has even linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions including obesity, weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.
The Stay Sharp committee typically hosts events to promote socialization and engagement with older adults through board games. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak our ability to organize groups has been curtailed. Stay Sharp has developed a list of one-player and small group games that can be easily sanitized to ensure that we can still engage our mind, body, and spirit during this tough time. Please remember that if you are playing a game in a small group to wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds before and after playing.
Check out these games!
Alzheimer’s Disease has been on the rise since the year 2000, affecting over 5 million people in the United States alone. It is the #6 leading cause of death in our country. Stay Sharp promotes the social and cognitive benefits of game play throughout the lifespan, especially as people get older. Research shows that playing board games and participating in other mentally stimulating activities as we get older helps reduce the risk of dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease) in older adults.1
This past October, 10 Stay Sharp committee members committed to raising $2000 for the Alzheimer’s Association by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This annual event honors those living with the disease, as well as those who have been lost and their caretakers and families.
The originally scheduled date for the event was cancelled due to bad weather, so we had our own impromptu walk in the Midtown Crossing area near Spielbound, through Dewey and Leavenworth Parks, ending at Vis Major Brewing.
2019 has been an active and FUN year for Stay Sharp, and there’s still more to go!
Research shows playing board may provide protection against this dementia. Here are five Stay Sharp suggested games to bring to your holiday celebrations. These games make great holiday gifts in addition to providing physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits for all ages and abilities.
