The task of keeping a senior’s brain active to prevent the onset of dementia may seem daunting, but it breaks down to finding small tasks they can do on a regular basis. Many activities will do the trick, such as crossword puzzles, yoga, or reading a book, one option is to pick a brain game. The Six app offers a simple but fun game to activate senior clients’ brains and prevent dementia.
The concept behind Six will be easy for a senior client to pick up in its simplicity. There is a hexagon on top of a tower of blocks of different shapes and sizes. The goal of the game is to eliminate the blocks one at a time from underneath the hexagon without letting it roll off the side of the tower. It sounds easy, but as the blocks fall the hexagon shifts on its five sides.
The challenge lies in determining which blocks will throw off the balance of the whole tower and send the hexagon teetering off the edge. Senior clients will need to examine the way the different shapes underneath the hexagon fit together, and how the weight will shift as they choose which block to eliminate next. For example, in the above scenario, senior clients would need to decide whether or not getting rid of the block on the far right would cause the hexagon to shift and come falling off the right side of the tower.
As caregivers and their senior clients continue playing the game, they rack up more and more points for eliminating blocks while keeping the hexagon balanced. Once a certain score is reached, the app unlocks the next level for play. Caregivers could easily create a little tournament between themselves and their senior clients to see who can get the high score on the game, or instead play together and strategize about which blocks to get rid of next.
Another version of the game available is based entirely on speed, and how quickly players can get rid of blocks while keeping the hexagon balanced. Senior clients can give this a try, but many may prefer to take their time on the classic version of the game. Both offer ample opportunity for brain exercise, so whichever they prefer is fine.
The Six! app is available for 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. You may also refer-a-friend to a senior caregiving job and win prizes weekly and monthly on Caregiverlist.
