People with dementia often respond well to structured group activities like bingo or trivia games. This is because these activities provide a clear framework and social interaction, which can be very beneficial for their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Structured group activities offer several advantages:
– **Familiarity and Routine:** Games like bingo or trivia have simple, repetitive rules that are easy to follow. This predictability helps reduce confusion and anxiety, making participants feel more comfortable and confident.
– **Social Connection:** Group settings encourage interaction with others. Dementia-friendly activities help people connect socially, reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness that are common in dementia[2]. Playing games together fosters a sense of belonging and shared enjoyment.
– **Mental Stimulation:** Trivia games stimulate memory recall by encouraging players to retrieve information they know. Bingo involves attention and number recognition skills. These cognitive challenges can help maintain brain function longer by engaging thinking processes[2][5].
– **Emotional Benefits:** Participating in enjoyable group games can lift mood, reduce frustration, and promote positive emotions through laughter and friendly competition[2]. The social aspect also supports emotional health by providing meaningful engagement.
– **Sense of Purpose:** Being part of a game gives people with dementia a role to play within the group. It helps them feel valued as active participants rather than passive observers[2].
In summary, structured group activities like bingo or trivia work well for people with dementia because they combine routine, mental exercise, social interaction, emotional upliftment, and purpose—all tailored in an accessible way that respects their abilities while promoting wellbeing. These benefits make such activities powerful tools in supporting quality of life for those living with dementia[2][5].
