Jigsaws as therapy for the elderly
Jigsaw puzzles were invented in the late 18th century by London mapmaker John Spilsbury. Initially developed as an educational tool, jigsaw puzzles have survived two hundred and fifty years of consumer recognition as a hobby unforeseen by their inventor. Puzzles range in piece size from 10 gigantic pieces for little hands up to 20000 pieces for experienced puzzle hobbyists which can take up to a full year to complete.
Almost all jigsaw puzzles are now made of cardboard but some manufacturers still acknowledge those early days and make a few titles (especially for children) from wooden boards. Images are printed onto the surface rather than hand painted as in Spilsbury’s day. Originally employed as an educational device, world maps would decorate the board, be cut up using a jigsaw into the various countries for instructive assembly by school going youngsters.
Inserting the correct piece into the appropriate space requires both cognitive ability and manual dexterity. Not only the shape (which tends to be similar) but color are clues to proper assembly. For those whose cognitive powers are not as acute as they once were, jigsaw puzzles are a fun way of exercising the mind as well as practicing small motor skills.
As a form of gentle therapy, card games come to mind for their deductive reasoning as well as the added benefit of socialization. Reading, crosswords or playing mind teasers such as Sudoku are all obvious ways to stimulate the brain. In a recent study, it has been shown the best way to avoid the onset of dementia is by exercise and diet and that mental stimulation alone is not enough.
Nevertheless it is the unexpected benefit of assembling a jigsaw puzzle that carries unique observational, cognition and motor skills making the pastime distinct. Puzzle manufacturers have seen the median age of the puzzle consumer advancing and (not through any act of altruism) have been developing more puzzles with extra large pieces. Typically such a puzzle will have 500 pieces but will have the same dimensions as a regular 1000 piece puzzle. The images tend to be brightly colored with well defined sections.
Learning, consolidation, storage and recall are the four components of memory. Without recall the viability of other three functions cannot easily be observed. All four occur in a specific sequence and the ability to learn depends on the linear flow of information. Many activities (including puzzle making) will stimulate each of the functions. Competitive puzzle hobbyists regularly assemble a 1000 piece puzzle in about an hour. A senior’s ability to deny the loss of mental dexterity will be enhanced by practicing a similar skill set.
It has been said the human brain is the most complex thing in the universe. Chemical studies and subsequent pharmacological discoveries as well as gene therapies hold much promise and even current benefits. Mild therapies such as puzzles are less intrusive and might mitigate the results of memory loss in an aging population.
The greatest fear is that we lose our uniquely individual memories and thus our true self. Not much effort would be required of those who can reawaken once healthy skills and prolong the pleasure of a healthy mind and body by simple exercises such as jigsaw puzzles.
Tags: 1000 piece puzzles, Jigsaw Puzzles