Cognitive and Socio-Emotional Benefits of Puzzle Working in Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Puzzles are mental exercises that enhance cognitive function. Functional cognition is critical for older adults to be able to engage in activities of daily living (ADL) and is linked to positive aging. This paper reports participation by Hispanic older adults in puzzle working and explores the relationship between the reported need for assistance with ADL and puzzles participation. Survey findings from 156 older adults reveal that puzzle working not only provides an opportunity to exercise their mind to solve cognitive challenges, but also elicits emotional and social benefits. The reported need for assistance with ADL is not a statistically significant predictor of participation in puzzle working, indicating that regardless of the level of assistance senior adults need for ADL, they can participate in puzzle working.

KEYWORDS:

• Puzzle working
• older adults
• activities of daily living (ADL)

Acknowledgments

We thank the city of El Paso Parks and Recreation department and the directors and staffs in 11 senior centers for their support and assistance in informed consent and data collection process. We also thank our study participants for their valuable insights regarding puzzles and ADL.

Disclosure statement

A financial conflict of interest was not identified based on the overall scope of the current project. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of Texas at El Paso in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research.