15 Best Brain Exercises To Improve Memory In Seniors

Akanksha Sharma

11. Following Recipes While Cooking

Cooking, tablet and old couple learning baking skills online at home kitchen in a lovely and romant. Photo Credit: Envato @YuriArcursPeopleimages

Cooking from scratch—especially with a new recipe—is a brain workout in disguise. Measuring, sequencing steps, managing timing, and recalling ingredients engage both memory and executive function. A 2014 study in Neurocase showed that cooking and baking positively influence cognitive performance in older adults. For added benefits, trying culturally diverse recipes introduces new vocabulary and concepts. Seniors may also find joy and confidence in cooking for others, reinforcing both memory and emotional connection.

12. Taking Up Creative Writing

Senior woman at home reading book. smiling older person enjoying reading books. retirment home care. Photo Credit: Envato @yavdat

Writing exercises, such as journaling, storytelling, or poetry, stimulate memory, imagination, and language fluency. Seniors who write regularly tend to maintain sharper verbal recall and introspective awareness. According to Aging & Mental Health, expressive writing can also improve sleep, reduce stress, and support emotional memory. Whether it's recounting life stories or creating fictional worlds, writing keeps the brain engaged in higher-order thinking and reflective processing.

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11. Following Recipes While Cooking

12. Taking Up Creative Writing

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