Coming up with an activity that is fun and purposeful is often more difficult than it seems.  But for a person with dementia participating in activities that help to stimulate cognitive functions is essential for health and wellbeing. By incorporating jigsaws into your activity program improved communication and social interaction can be achieved.  This, in turn, reduces stress levels and provides mental stimulation to help someone with dementia feel calm and content.

What are the benefits of a jigsaw?

Jigsaw puzzles help to exercise both parts of the brain and provide a number of benefits such as:

• Improved interaction: A jigsaw puzzle offers the opportunity to start a conversation
• Purposeful Activity: Completing a jigsaw can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose
• Exercise for the brain: Doing jigsaws can help strengthen the brain and improve visual recognition.

How to choose the right jigsaw?

There are a lot of different types of jigsaws and it is essential that you take into consideration the person you are buying the jigsaw for.

Look at:

• How challenging is the jigsaw? The jigsaw needs to be challenging but not impossible to do. Consider at what stage of dementia the person is at. This will determine the size and type of jigsaw that would be best.
• What interests the person has. Pick a jigsaw that would help evoke memories. Prompting reminiscence stimulates communication and helps trigger the existing memories of someone with dementia. Reminiscing can also assist in the creation of new memories.

Dementia jigsaws from Find

Find’s 16 piece jigsaws use era-specific images to provide just the right amount of mental stimulation without being over challenging.

The jigsaws come with a printed picture on the base to make the jigsaw easier to complete.

Take a look at our full range by clicking here