WEBSITES FOR COGNTIVE TRAINING

There is no irrefutable research yet that proves extensive “brain training” will result in significant cognitive improvement, or slow the cognitive declines associated with aging. But what we do know is:

  1. People get better at the games they do play, so there is learning involved, and learning involves memory.
  2. There is a connection between a person’slevel of education, mental activity and lowered risk of some dementia.
  3. It doesn’t hurt you. And staying mentally engaged has positive results.
  4. It’s better than watching TV because it engages you in active behaviors that involve brain stimulation.

If you want to explore the options, there are many sites on the internet these days for “brain training”. These can be found by simply by doing a web search under headings such as:

Brain games

Brain training

Memory games

Memory training

Attention games

Attention training

Word search

Puzzles

Crosswords

Solitaire games

Some are better than others. Most are free. Some are geared specifically for adults, some for kids. The ones that charge a fee usually have a little better structure to them and do track your performance from session to session, which allows you to see the progress you make. The following internet sites are some of the better ones for games and cognitive training.

Fee:

  • This is probably one of the best programs, but you have to register and it costs about $15 a month. They set up a specific program for you and it allows you to track your progress.
  • They do have free trial games.

  • Also a very good program. There is a fee involved.

  • This is another excellent site. They have a DVD you can purchase, but also free games to play.

  • Monthly fee but not expensive

Free:

  • Monthly fee - $10/month

 (free games)

The following sites have games that exercise a variety of cognitive skills, including memory, attention, speed of processing, mental flexibility, and problem solving. Just find the ones you enjoy.

General cognitive games

  • Simple homepage; look especially at

  • You might have to explore the site to find all the free options

  • Reading comprehension practice and related thinking skills

  • You can print out word search puzzles by themes

  • You can make crossword puzzles on this site

  • Good site with entertaining exercises; some free, some you buy

  • Highly recommended with lots of great games

  • A mix of free and things to purchase. “Brainflex” site does have free games

Word games

Memory

Visual-perceptual

Speed of Processing

Someeducational sites for teachers offer games, worksheets, etc. Some of the ones I have used are:

BOARD GAMES

There are also a lot of “board” games that are good for cognitive skills and language. Some that are great include:

Scrabble

Boggle

Password (old – available online at Amazon.com)

Monopoly

Stare

WitsEnd

Clue

Scatagories

Yahtzee

Upwords

Pictionary

Cranium

Backgammon

Chess

Checkers

The list is endless! But they all work on attention, memory, speed, logic, problem solving, and/ or word finding in some fashion. Again, it’s what you enjoy.

INFORMATIONAL SOURCES

There are informational DVDs availableon Brain Fitness and/or Brain Science

There are a number of books on cognitive retaining that are good as well – most available online through Amazon. Some of the ones I have used are:

The Memory Workbook

Brainfit

The Brain Injury Workbook

The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Workbook

Memory for Dummies

The Memory Book

Brain Training

The Brain Training Revolution

IPad, IPod and IPhone resources and games

RESOURCES

Calendar and Schedule Manager

  • CalenGoo (Syncs with Google online calendars)
  • Pocket Informant
  • Calendar
  • Today Screen

Journal / Notes

  • Evernote
  • Notes
  • Voice Memos

Task Manager

  • 2Do
  • Do It (Tomorrow)
  • Daily Deeds
  • iProcrastinate
  • Awesome Note
  • Reqall
  • Taska
  • Re.minder
  • Easy Alarms
  • Errands To-Do List – has alarms

Shopping

  • Shopping List (free)

Navigation

  • Compass
  • Google Maps
  • AroundMe
  • Urbanspoon (restaurants, etc)
  • Yelp (restaurants, shops, etc)
  • The Weather Channel

Home Management

  • HomeRoutine
  • Intuition

Headache tracking

  • IHeadache

Medication Management

  • Pill Tracker
  • RxmindMe
  • Pill Time

Sleep Management

  • Sleep on it
  • Sleep tracker

Stress Management and Anxiety

  • T2 Mood Tracker – monitors mood on six pre-loaded scales for anxiety, stress, depression, brain injury, post traumatic stress and general well being.
  • Breath2Relax – teaches and encourages deep breathing.

Brain Injury

  • Brain Damage – glossary of brain injury terminology

References

  • Dictionary.com
  • Google Mobile App
  • White and Yellow pages

Financial Management

  • Mobile Banking
  • AT&T My Wireless
  • Chase Mobile
  • Bank Of America
  • American Express
  • PayPal
  • Wells Fargo Mobile
  • Citi Mobile
  • PNC Mobile Banking
  • Mobile Banking on AT&T
  • SunTrust Mobile Bank
  • BB&T Mobile Banking
  • USAA Banking
  • Trackers and Tools
  • PageOnce Bills
  • Expense Tracker
  • QuickTip – tips
  • Calculator
  • Virtual Wallet by PNC
  • Budget Tool
  • BillMinder Lite
  • HomeBudget
  • Currency Converter
  • Mint
  • Moneystrands
  • Pageonce

School Applications

  • InClass
  • Myhomework

Password Manager

  • eWallet
  • Wallet Advanced – manages everything

GAMES

Cognitive Training and Games

  • Lumosity Brain Trainer – can design your own personalized training, including “courses” for TBI and PTSD.
  • Perfect Balance
  • Brain Tuner Lite
  • Simon Says
  • Brain Challenge 2
  • Qrank – Social Quiz
  • What’s the Difference
  • Toobz – free
  • Solitaire
  • reMovem
  • Finger Ninja
  • Brain Box
  • Unotan
  • Brain Toot (free)
  • Brain Trainer
  • Ingenious
  • Sudoku
  • Differences
  • Matches
  • Geared
  • Troika
  • Doodle fit

Math Games

  • Multiplication Genius
  • ArithmeTick - Math

Word Games

  • Bookworm
  • Wordwarp
  • Chicktionary
  • Moron Test
  • Words with Friends
  • iBooks – download and read books. Includes the iBookstore
  • Hangman
  • WordSearch Unlimited
  • Mad Gab
  • NYTimes Crosswords
  • Miss Spell’s Class
  • Word Bubble
  • Wordjong

Executive Function / Problem Solving / Memory

  • Impossible
  • SolChessFree – logic puzzle based on rules of chess
  • UnblockMe (Free)
  • Bejeweled 2
  • Cut The Rope
  • Trainyard
  • Plants vs. Zombies
  • Memory Block
  • Fruit Ninja
  • Veggie Samurai
  • Angry Birds
  • Paper Toss
  • Labyrinth
  • PB Harmony
  • Shanghai Mahjong
  • Color Fill
  • Glass Tower
  • Crack the Code
  • Tanagrams
  • Mindsweeper
  • Tilt Maze
  • FreeCell
  • Peg Jump
  • Chess

Money

  • The Oregon Trail

Music

  • Tap Tap Revenge
  • Rock Band Free
  • Songsterr (guitar and bass tabs that stream through your Ipod)

To register IPod, go to

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