Dementia care doesn’t need fancy tools. Sometimes the best activities for brain health use things you already have at home. The hand-fist challenge is one of these. All you need is a stack of bond paper and a marker.
Prepare the sheets before you sit down to play. Use three simple symbols:
- An open hand outline represents an open hand.
- A circle represents a closed fist.
- A vertical rounded rectangle represents a hand resting on its side.
Some sheets can show matching shapes. Other sheets can show two different shapes.
When it’s time to play, hand your loved one or client one sheet at a time. Ask them to place their left hand on the left shape and their right hand on the right shape, matching their hand position to what they see on the paper. Once they successfully match a sheet, move on to the next one in your stack.
Why This Simple Game Works So Well
This game uses more than one part of the brain at the same time. The person has to look at each hand shape. They have to tell their left hand apart from their right hand. Then they have to move each hand to match what they see. That’s visual attention, memory, and motor skill, all working together.
Tips to Make the Game More Fun
- Start easy. Begin with matching positions for both hands. Move to different positions when the person feels comfortable.
- Keep sessions short. A few minutes may be enough. Continue if the person is having fun.
- Give one direction at a time. Simple instructions can make the activity easier to follow.
- Demonstrate when needed. Show the hand position if the person has trouble understanding a symbol.
- Celebrate each match. Clap or offer encouraging words. Keep the focus on participation and enjoyment.
- Avoid correcting every mistake. Give the person time to figure out the match. Offer a gentle cue when needed.
- Watch for frustration. Return to an easier page if the activity becomes difficult. Stop if the person appears tired or upset.
- Make it social. Family members can play along. Caregivers can also use the activity with a small group.
Want to try the Hand Match Game with your loved one or client? We created a printer-friendly version for you! Click here to download.
At Caregiverlist, we support caregivers in finding ways to help seniors stay mentally and physically healthy every day. Keep it light and have fun!
