{"id":6642,"date":"2021-05-07T14:56:07","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T14:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/assistinghands.com\/2\/?p=6642"},"modified":"2021-05-07T18:42:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T18:42:47","slug":"gametime-in-chicagoland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/2\/illinois\/arlingtonheights\/blog\/gametime-in-chicagoland\/","title":{"rendered":"Exercise your Brain and Have Fun Too: Great Games & Activities for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

We haven\u2019t had too many April showers…but we already have May flowers here in Chicagoland. Happy Spring<\/a> to all! We hope you all have been able to soak in the sunshine and the lovely spring weather we\u2019ve been having.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While on her rounds visiting our caregivers and clients this month, our Care Manager came to visit a happy client and caregiver pair who were playing a card game together… and of course we were charmed! While our number one priority at Assisting Hands is the safety of our seniors, and helping them with the necessary activities of daily living so they can continue to live independently in their homes, the complete wellbeing of our clients includes so much more than our daily tasks. Our caregivers are also with their seniors to bring joy!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To that enjoyable end, we thought we would put together a list of game ideas to get thinking about some fun activities that caregivers, family members, friends and anyone can play with their seniors!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally all of our seniors will have different tastes and different abilities, so this brainstorm list has options for all levels and preferences…give a few of them a try!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dominoes<\/h3>\n

Dominoes are simply a classic! You may want to start with the basics to get your bearings and then expand to other games! This website has a wealth of information about rules and a full list of games<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the rules for the basic game, Straight Dominoes<\/a>, to try out first.<\/span><\/p>\n

And here are the rules for my recommended game, Mexican Train<\/a>! It is a game I have fond memories of playing with <\/span>my<\/span><\/i> Grandparents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Card Games\"Companion<\/h3>\n

Card games are an easy way to get playing; there are so many options and so many quick and simple card games. Here is a link with some 2 player card games<\/a>.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>My recommendations would be Go Fish or Gin Rummy, two classics! Or why not try tackling a game of solitaire…together! That is a great way to work as a team with your senior and to do something together to get chatting and engaging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n