Here are some ideas for exercising your brain that you can do with your recipient.

1. Categories: name several items that belong to the same category (coat, sweater, gloves) and ask what category they belong to (cold weather clothing). This can be played in reverse, naming a category (jewelry, means of transportation) and asking for items that belong.
2. Missing word: Quote a familiar saying, song or scripture, leaving out a word to be filled in.
3. Thesaurus: Say a word, and ask for synonyms or antonyms.
4. Who? Where? What? Use family photos or even pictures from a magazine. Ask who is in the picture, where they are, and what they are doing.
5. Similar  or different: Name two items and ask how they are similar or different. For example – biscuit and muffin (similar – edible, bread, baked; different – shape, ingredients, salty/sweet).
6. Arrange in chronological order: There are endless possibilities – grandchildren, Presidents, historical events, annual holidays, Bible characters, months, seasons etc.
7. Favorites: Ask someone to name his favorite color…food…season…holiday…song…T.V. show….book….movie…place to visit…sport, etc. This is also a good way to get to know the likes of your loved one. And if you want to know the dislikes, you could always ask for the least favorite color, food, etc.

Repetition of these games increases their effectiveness. Try to get in some brain training time every day.