Board Games for Mental Exercise- Scrabble and Alzheimer's Disease

According to a report by the Alzheimer's Association, "5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's disease." Although we are fortunate enough to live in a part of the world where the medicine science is progressing every day, still it is hard to fight with the causes of the Alzheimer's disease. One of the causes of Alzheimer's disease, i.e. lifestyle, can be changed. However, another cause of Alzheimer, i.e. genetics, cannot be altered easily.

To keep the brain active, its exercise is very necessary. Many board games are known to stimulate the brain. This article focuses on the role of playing Scrabble in warding off or slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Scrabble helps in warding off Alzheimer's disease

Gone are the days when the theory of "play mental games to keep the brain active" was a hypothesis. Now it is proved by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Centre. Through a study they showed that the "risk of developing Alzheimer can be reduced by 47 percent by thought-provoking and mind-stimulating activities." They also recommend forming a "Scrabble or Mahjong club" to make sure that something is done for the brain regularly.

Anyone who is afraid of developing Alzheimer's disease should play Scrabble often. However, those who have a family history of Alzheimer's should make sure that they indulge in mind stimulating activities almost every day. (If you do not find scrabble interesting, then some other board games can also help.)

Scrabble is good for the sufferers of Alzheimer's disease

Playing games in which the Alzheimer's patient can participate is a great way to spend some quality time with the patient, whether at home or at the nursing facility. Although Alzheimer affects the patient's cognitive skills, however many Alzheimer patients retain their vocabulary even at the later stages of their disease. That is why Scrabble is a good choice to engage the patients of Alzheimer's disease.

According to a research by Professor Andrew Carle at George Mason University, "progression of Alzheimer can be slowed down by playing different word games." Scrabble is one of them.

Playing scrabble is a great exercise for the brain, as it has various elements that can keep the brain active. It requires logical thinking, anagramming, and placement decisions. All of these can prove to be great stimulants for the brain.

One of the gravest problems of the Alzheimer's disease patients is that they become very lonely with the passing time. Since scrabble is a multiplayer game, it is a great way to ward off the loneliness in the Alzheimer patients.

The Scrabble can be bought at retail stores both online and offline.

Source(s):

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/65701.php

http://www.livestrong.com/article/35946-brain-games-alzheimers/

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36834.asp