Games and puzzles adapted for each stage

I want to stimulate my dad with games, but he gets frustrated when he can't do them. What games make sense at each stage of dementia?

The right game brings pleasure, practice, and social interaction. The wrong game reflects losses. The art is in choosing — and in being flexible with the rules.

Principles

• The goal is pleasure and connection, not performance. If there's repeated frustration, the game is wrong or the stage has changed.
• Adapt the rules without ceremony: in his card game, his rules apply.
• Let him win with dignity — but without obvious theatrics.

By stage

• Early stage: classic cards (e.g., Bridge!), dominoes, checkers, simple crosswords, 100-300 piece puzzles, music identification games.
• Moderate stage: dominoes with few pieces, snap/pairs with large cards, 24-48 piece puzzles with adult images (landscapes, not children's drawings), sorting/matching objects (socks, buttons, cards by suit), throwing a ball/balloon.
• Advanced stage: sensory — activity blankets, boxes with textures, catching/passing a balloon, music with simple percussion (tambourine, clapping).

Care points

Prefer adult-looking materials — the person understands (and resents) childish material. Keep sessions short (10-20 minutes) and end on a high note, before tiredness sets in. Playing WITH them is always more valuable than handing over a game and leaving.

Sources: Alzheimer's Society (UK); NIA — National Institute on Aging (USA).