5. Brainercise for Week 12

TIP

Remember, it is not important whether these exercises are easy or difficult.

Over the course of the program, the participant will engage in numerous cognitive processes which is what will keep the healthy areas of their brain active.

This is what can build and strengthen their cognitive reserve and increase their brain’s neuroplasticity to help slow dementia-related decline.

TIP

There may be steps that they cannot complete depending on what area(s) of the brain have been damaged.

Use the Process-Focused Strategy Phrases to encourage them as much as possible and only complete the steps that they are unable to complete at all.

What matters is the participant attempts each of the steps to the best of their ability at this moment. 

TIP

Complete the Seated Stretch exercises before beginning to increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Click the link to view the Seated Stretch Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/2-motion-seated-stretch-instructions/

TIP

To relieve anxiety, also do the Just Breathe! exercise or one of the Mindfulness Moments exercises.

Click the link to view the Just Breathe! Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/1-just-breathe-instructions/

Click the link to view the Mindfulness Moments Instructions: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/3-mindfulness-moments-instructions/

TIP

Complete the GIG of the Day Emotional Support Activities prior to beginning the Brainercise activity so everyone will be in a positive, happy state of mind.

Click the link to access the GIG of the Day Emotional Support Activities: https://brainstimforseniors.com/access-my-courses/emotional-support/

TIP

Click here for information about the process to follow when doing the Brainercise Exercises: https://brainstimforseniors.com/lessons/5-about-the-cognitive-engagements-of-the-day/

TIP

Before beginning the exercises, have the participant look back and forth to the right and then to the left a few times without moving the head.

Science suggests this movement increases concentration and problem-solving ability.

Brainercise 12a

Kit Supplies Needed:

Notebook Paper

Pen

Instructions:

Give an example of the following:

• adjective
• month
• noun
• verb ending in ing
• room in the house
• verb
• professional
• verb
• relative
• lady’s name
• noun
• noun
• time of day
• verb
• past tense verb
• adjective
• game

Comments:

AP: Copy this Madlib onto the notebook paper and add their answers: It was a/an (adj), cold (month) day. I woke up to the smell of (noun) (verb with ing) in the downstairs (room in the house). I (verb) downstairs to see if I could help the (professional) (verb) dinner. My (relative) said, “See if Aunt (lady’s name) needs a fresh glass of (noun) and tell her the (noun) will be ready by (time of day). Later we all sat down to (verb) the dinner. Afterwards we all (verb with ed) a/an (adjective) game of (game).

Brainercise 12b

Kit Supplies Needed:

none

Instructions:

• AP: Name any item you want.
• Name anything that has something in common with the item your AP named.
• AP: name anything that has something in common with what they said.
• Continue going back and forth as long as you can.

Comments:

IE) Apple – Orange (both are fruits) – Tiger (both are orange) – Elephant (both are zoo animals)…

Brainercise 12c

Kit Supplies Needed:

Dominoes

Instructions:

• Take a wild guess as to whether there will be more dominoes on the left, right, or in the center at the end of the exercise.
• Put all dominoes on the table turned upside down.
• Pick one domino and put it in the center.
• Pick dominoes one at a time.
• Put it on the right if the total is smaller than the middle domino.
• Put it on the left if it is larger.
• If it is the same, stack it on top of the center domino.
• Continue until all the dominoes have been used.
• Stack the dominoes on top of each other as you make your choices.

Comments:

AP: See if they question what to do with the blanks… Do they add it to the area they picked that would have more dominoes at the end of the game? If not, gently remind them of their choice and see if they choose that area. If not, it’s ok – it was a guess.

Brainercise 12d

Kit Supplies Needed:

Poker Cards

Instructions:

• Shuffle the deck.
• Put the deck face down in front of you.
• Draw 4 cards.
• Sort them highest to lowest.
• Lay those cards to your left.
• Draw 6 cards.
• Sort them lowest to highest.
• Lay those cards to your right.
• Draw 7 cards.
• Sort them by alphabetical order by number (one starts with “O”)
• Put those cards under the pile on your right.
• Draw 11 cards.
• Sort them by color.

Comments:

AP: Use more or fewer cards to adjust the difficulty of the activity.

Brainercise 12e

Kit Supplies Needed:

2 Dice

Dry Erase Folder

Dry Erase Marker

Instructions:

• Roll the dice and add the numbers.
• Draw a line down the center of the dry erase folder to make two columns.
• Put even-numbered answers in the right column.
• Put odd-numbered answers in the left column.
• Roll the dice and subtract the smallest number from the largest number.
• Roll the dice and multiply the numbers.
• Repeat the activity from the start.
• Continue until there is no room left to add more numbers in at least one column.

Comments:

AP: Help with the equations if needed.

Brainercise 12f

Nostalgia Exercise Instructions:

• • Listen to or sing the suggested Nostalgia Song or one of your choice as many times as you like and time allows.
  • What were you doing in life when this song was popular?
  • How does hearing this song now make you feel?

Brainercise 12g

Neuron Exercise Instructions:

• • Listen to the suggested Neuron Song or one of your choice.
  • While listening, focus on the lyrics (or melody).
  • Next, listen during the verses or main melody.
  • Try to sing along during the chorus (the part that repeats).
  • It does not matter if you sing the lyrics correctly or not.
  • Repeat the process as many times as time and preference allow.

© 2020 BrainStim, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED