5. Brainercise for Week 8

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

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 8a

Kit Supplies Needed:

none

Instructions:

Spell your name in the air with:

• Your left pinkie finger
• Your chin.
• Your right elbow.
• Your left knee.

Comments:

Spell other things using the same format as long as time allows.

Brainercise 8b

Kit Supplies Needed:

Pipe Cleaners

Instructions:

• Form the numbers 0 – 9 using one pipe cleaner per number.
• Make the numbers in this order: 3, 0, 6, 1, 9, 7, 4, 8, 5, 2.
• Lay them in that order in front of you.
• Put them in order from largest to smallest.

Comments:

Brainercise 8c

Kit Supplies Needed:

2 Dice

Dry Erase Folder

Dry Erase Marker

Instructions:

• Make two columns of numbers 1 – 21.
• Take turns rolling double dice.
• Use any math equation to equal a number between 1-21.
• Erase each number from your column as you get it.
• The first one to get all numbers 1-21 wins.

Comments:

AP: Decrease the numbers you have to get to save time or to make this less complicated.

Brainercise 8d

Kit Supplies Needed:

Mini Boggle

Instructions:

• Shake the mini Boggle.
• Look at it closely.
• Find the words, if any, that are made up of an even number of letters.
• Repeat as time allows.

Comments:

AP: Remove the number of letters restriction to make this easier.

Brainercise 8e

Kit Supplies Needed:

Dry Erase Folder

Dry Erase Marker

Instructions:

• AP: Name random items one at a time.
• Sketch the item on the folder.

Comments:

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