Engage and entertain with fun activities at the right level
Activities for seniors are important for preventing boredom and boosting mood.
And jigsaw puzzles are a great activity for older adults to do on their own or with others.
They also help older adults exercise their fingers and minds, have fun, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The key is to find a puzzle that suits their ability level and has a picture they like.
To help you find something your older adult will enjoy, we rounded up a bunch of fun puzzles with beautiful pictures.
We found options for people looking for simpler puzzles, ones designed for Alzheimer’s or dementia, puzzles for people with impaired vision, and even ones made from your own photos.
Simpler puzzles for mild cognitive impairment
Seniors with mild cognitive decline can still have fun with puzzles. Start by choosing one with a simple picture and fewer pieces than they used to enjoy.
If you’re not sure, start with a 50 or 100 piece puzzle and see how that goes.
If they find that one to be too easy or too hard, you’ll know to increase or decrease the number of pieces when choosing the next puzzle.
Puzzles with less than 100 pieces
- Van Gogh Sunflowers – famous and cheerful flowers, 24 pieces
- Golden Retriever Puppy – an adorable puppy, 30 pieces
- Mare and Foal – beautiful horses, 60 pieces
- Monet’s Garden – a lovely garden scene (note that the packaging mentions Alzheimer’s/dementia), 63 pieces
100 piece puzzles
- Good Companions – friendly pets
- Puppy Wagon – adorable puppies in a red wagon
- The Solar System – great for people who are interested in space
- USA State Map – even though this one is for kids, it’s a fun design and nice map of the U.S.
Puzzles with more than 100 pieces
- Tropical Waters – underwater scene filled with amazing sea creatures, 500 pieces
- African Beasts – a lion, leopards, zebra, rhino, gazelle, giraffes, and elephant in the African sunset, 500 pieces
- In The Still Light of Dawn – winter landscape with a snowy barn and birds, 500 pieces
- Mountains on Fire – a gorgeous mountain range sunset, 750 pieces
Puzzles for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia
Springbok, a puzzle company, makes a special line for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia called Puzzles to Remember.
These puzzles have 36 or 100 large pieces that are easier to grip and see. And the pictures are lovely, vibrant, and perfect for adults – not childish at all.
Some of our favorites
- Morning Serenade – songbirds gathered on a fence, 36 pieces
- The Malt Shop – a 50’s style diner scene, 36 pieces
- Summer Creek – 5 majestic horses cross a river, 36 pieces
- Take Flight – hot air balloons, 100 pieces
More from Springbok
- Click here for Puzzles to Remember at Springbok’s online store.
- Click here for more Springbok Puzzles to Remember at Amazon. Look for Puzzles to Remember in the item description – these designs are different from their line of 36 piece puzzles for children.
Puzzles for people with vision impairment
Some older adults are doing well cognitively, but their eyesight or hand flexibility has declined.
In this case, a puzzle with larger pieces, but a lot of them, may be just right.
That way, the challenge will be in the puzzle itself, not in seeing or picking up the pieces.
- Country Meadow – horses, birds, and a farmhouse in a soothing meadow, 300 large pieces
- Up Up and Away – hot air balloons over the mountains, 300 large pieces
- Positano – a picturesque Italian town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
- Ravensburger Meet You at Jack’s – a nostalgic diner scene, 750 large pieces
Create a custom photo puzzle
It’s easy to turn a custom photo into a fun puzzle. Just choose your older adult’s favorite family or nature photo and upload it to a puzzle making service.
Many seniors, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, really enjoy photo puzzles.
A few options
- Walmart – from $12, 110 pieces and up
- Portrait Puzzles – from $28, 16 pieces and up
- Shutterfly – from $30, 12 pieces and up
Recommended for you:
- Activities for People with Dementia: 10 Fun, No Fail Ideas
- 9 Enjoyable Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility
- Entertaining Seniors at Home: Watch Free Live Nature Cameras
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Golden Care
This article wasn’t sponsored, but does contain affiliate links. We never link to products for the sole purpose of making a commission. Product recommendations are based on our honest opinions. For more information, see How We Make Money.
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