Online Brain Games for Memory Improvement

By Anna Hazard

While the jury is still out on whether the spate of brain training games that have become popular lately have any true effect on improving intelligence, clinical studies so far have indicated that they do help maintain and sharpen certain cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and attention span and may well help mitigate the early symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia.
 
The following brain games can all be found online and are available for free or have available free trials. Such games may be a fun and beneficial way to pass the time for both caregivers and their loved ones.

Brain Metrix

• A free website that offers a large collection of brain training games including those for reflection, creativity, memory, concentration, and spatial skills
• Cost: Free
  
• http://www.brainmetrix.com/
  

AARP - Brain Games

• A small selection of short online games (hosted on AARP's own website) that will help exercise one's memory, language, and attention span.
• Cost: Free
• http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/
  

Brain HQ (by Posit Science)

• 25+ different types of brain training games created by neuroscientists & other experts with a system that can be personally tailored to the user.
• Clinically proven to help cognitive function with memory, faster mental processing, and better hearing.
• Cost: First sample levels are free, $14 month/$96 year subscription for full access
• http://www.brainhq.com
  

CogniFit (by Posit Science)

• CogniFit assesses your current cognitive skills and then recommends a tailored program of games designed by neuroscientists based on your needs. Play competitively against your friends & family.
• App version also available on iOS
• Cost: Free trial with 4 brain training games, $19.95 per month/$191.40 per year subscription for full access
• https://www.cognifit.com
  

Easter Seals Train Your Brain (Brain HQ)

• Try out various Brain HQ games for memory, processing speed, people skills, and intelligence that are normally available via paid subscription only.
• Cost: Free to Easter Seals members
• http://easterseals.brainhq.com/#challenges/easterseals_challenge/intro
  

My Happy Neuron

• Personalized brain training program based on your cognitive profile to stimulate memory, attention, language, reasoning, and visual/spatial skills
• Cost: Free trial, $14.90 per month/$79.80 per year subscription
• http://www.happy-neuron.com
  

Luminosity

• 50+ cognitive development games created by scientists & researchers. Play & train alongside friends/family.
• Cost: 3 free games per daily training regimen, $14.95 per month/$83.40 per year for full access subscription
  
• Also available in iOS and Android
• http://www.lumosity.com/
  

NeuroNation

• Create a personal brain workout regimen with games created by neuroscientists to help improve memory, intelligence, and decision-making with trackable process that can be compared to friends & family.
• Cost: 8 exercises for free, a variety of packages for accessing the 60+ games available from $0.99 - $112.22
  
• Also available in iOS and Android
  
• https://www.neuronation.com
  

Dakin Brain Fitness

• Trains your brain in six essential mental domains through 100 different brain exercise types over 1000s of different exercises
• Clinically proven to improve language & memory
• Cost: Try online for free, $200 - $300 for full software suite for PC
• https://www.dakim.com/