Here in Bethesda Gardens Loveland, we encourage our residents to protect their cognitive health. We help them pursue better brain health through nutrition, exercise and cognitive challenges.

Below are 10 of our favorite brain games.

1. Crosswords

Seniors and researchers alike reach for crosswords when looking for a beneficial puzzle. Crosswords stimulate multiple areas of your mind as you search your memory for specific words and facts. This helps your brain grow and form new connections.

Studies have shown that these new connections help maintain the areas of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Crosswords also help reduce brain shrinkage, a condition that causes issues with memory, speech and the ability to complete everyday tasks.

2. Sudoku

You need to use logic and deductive reasoning to solve Sudoku puzzles. The rules are simple to learn, so it doesn't take long to get started.

The classic game is played using numbers, which is where Sudoku gets its name. The Japanese word translates to "single numbers" in English.  However, variations use colors, pictures and alternate rules to change the game's appearance and difficulty.

3. Concentration

Simple and straightforward, Concentration takes only a deck of cards to play. This lets you exercise your memory with no specialized items. You can adjust the challenge by using fewer cards at a time. Also, you can easily play alone or with visiting loved ones.

4. Scrabble

Scrabble bypasses grammar and sentence structure rules needed in speech and lets you focus solely on the words themselves.

Playing Scrabble makes you dig into your vocabulary and practice word recall. It also pushes you to think ahead and locate potential spots to build words.

5. Word Scrambles

Since word scrambles require thought and concentration, they're good for sharpening the mind. It's easy to customize the difficulty by using simple or rare words.

Word scrambles can cover any theme, so they're fun to use during visits with grandchildren. They can also be a great way to start a conversation and reminisce about a topic related to the unscrambled words.

6. Mah-Jongg

Often, mental engagement can be found in beloved pastimes. For example, mah-jongg is so widely played throughout China that researchers studied its effect on elderly players.

After observing more than 11,000 seniors over a period of years, the scientists concluded that regularly playing mah-jongg and cards noticeably reduced the risk of developing dementia.

7. Wordle

Wordle began as a challenge between two friends and is now played by a worldwide audience. Its simple concept makes it highly approachable. Players have six tries to guess a hidden five-letter word. The challenge can be adjusted through word choice, and multiplayer versions are available.

8. Bingo

The go-to group game for many seniors, bingo is more than a leisurely pastime. To score, you have to pay attention to the numbers the caller announces and find matches on your card in a timely fashion. This mental stimulation can improve alertness and focus.

9. Trivial Pursuit

Trivia questions challenge players to think, offering an ideal cognitive workout. Trivial Pursuit features a broad range of editions, from television facts to nostalgia. This diversity lets you easily tailor the questions to suit your interests.

10. Solitaire

The best brain games are those that challenge you. Once you master a game and the difficulty fades, the benefits are reduced.

Solitaire and its many variations can keep the challenge going through new rules to memorize and practice. The internet and the outreach library here in Loveland, CO, are good places to find solitaire rulebooks and information.