Playing Scrabble gives the brain a workout

Scrabble may just seem like a fun board game to play with the family, but for seniors it can be an important part of maintaining and strengthening cognitive function. For most people, playing word games stimulates the part of the brain that deals with language; however, research has shown that for more seasoned Scrabble players a completely different part of the brain is utilized.

A study done by the University of Calgary found that expert Scrabble players are more likely to use the areas of their brains associated with working memory and visual processing. This distinction is important when thinking about how playing Scrabble can help seniors, especially those who have suffered brain injuries or are recovering from a stroke.

Dennis Day, who plays Scrabble weekly at the Fallbrook Senior Center, said that the game helped him recover from his stroke.

“It helps my brain work,” Day said.

He said that sometimes the game helps him to remember words he had forgotten. Scrabble helps him to exercise the parts of his brain that are related to language and can be damaged by stroke, improving recovery.

Companionship is also a health benefit. According to the National Institute on Aging, “social isolation constitutes a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults.”

Kathy Jolowicz, who plays Scrabble with Day every week at the Senior Center, said that companionship is one the the big parts of the game.

“(It’s) the social aspect of it as well as the mental aspect,” Jolowicz said.

Research has also shown that social well-being may be associated with lower levels of interleukin-6. Interleukin-6 is implicated in age-related disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.

Lack of social interaction may have an impact physically as well as emotionally. Studies suggested that people who are lonely frequently have elevated systolic blood pressure.

The Fallbrook Senior Center said they hold a weekly Scrabble game Thursdays at 10 a.m. Jolowicz and Day both said they encourage seniors to come out and play.

More information about Fallbrook Senior Center and the Scrabble group can be found at http://www.fallbrookseniorcenter.com.