These days half of the games popular to play on smartphones are mindless, requiring the same repetitive action without strategy. One of the most popular games for smartphones now though is 2048, a game comprised entirely of strategy to combine numbered tiles until they reach the target number. Senior caregivers and their senior clients can play this game to help keep clients’ minds active.
The 2048 game concept is basic- at the start, two tiles bearing the number 2 appear. When the user slides the tiles together, they combine into a number 4 and another number 2 tile appears. When any two tiles with the same number are combined, they are added together to make one tile with a larger number. The object of the game is to combine tiles together until the user obtains the 2048 tile, and then they win the game.
The extra challenge of the game presents itself when every move causes a new number 2 tile to be placed on the board. 16 squares make up the playing board, so if a player runs out of opportunities to slide tiles with the same number side by side to combine them, the board will fill up with extra 2 tiles until it’s full and the game will end.
Senior caregivers can sit down with their senior clients and play this game together. The strategy required to group the same numbered tiles together in order to combine them provides important mental exercise for seniors as they age. Mental engagement plays a large part in prevention of dementia in seniors. Caregivers and their clients also may find enjoyment in strategizing how to win the game together.
The 2048 app is available for free on Apple and Android platforms.
Senior caregivers, let us know your feedback on this app and keep us posted if you discover additional apps that assist with caregiving duties and help relieve caregiver stress.
