From the very beginning, we have expounded on the benefits of seniors and aging adults exercising their brains. Mental exercise can take many forms, not the least of which is playing games.
Mental games such as: crosswords, card games, doing jigsaw puzzles, solving Sudoku, playing board games like chess, mahjong or backgammon, even checkers. Seniors can test their powers of observation and memory with hidden object games. There are lots of game activities to suit most people’s interests. And now, in our wonderful electronic world, there are even more! All available on our laptops, tablets and phones.
Gaming Isn’t Just for Kids
Gaming is a multi-billion dollar business and today’s seniors are certainly one of many target groups. We thought we’d share a list of some of the ones targeted towards seniors that have an effect on their cognitive abilities, based on several different studies.
For example:
Get a Move On!
And then there are the combo games where video skills meet physical challenges. Nintendo Wii games that encourage physical activity are now a very popular choice among older adults – to the point that there are even local and national tournaments!
Because video games are played and enjoyed by people of all ages, there’s an opportunity for intergenerational game playing to take place too. In other words, grandparents can enjoy these fun activities with their children and grandkids.
Exergaming
Now there’s a new descriptor! Exergaming describes what you get if you combine exercise with video games. The aim of exergaming when applied to seniors is to help them achieve better balance physically and nurture their brains via mental challenges. These types of games help the elderly keep their cognitive faculties sharp and their bodies fit.
In the end, seniors can reap the benefits of this ‘gamification’ of the process of exercising. It’s a powerful motivator for the elderly that encourages them to adopt, and stick with, an unusual exercise program that’s actually fun. The idea being that if you make something into a game, the more likely people will join in and play! And if play keeps them active and alert, well, why not? Perhaps all of us at any age could start to experience the benefits and enjoy the results.
No Excuses
The online world of games is everybody’s oyster, so to speak. There are thousands of brain-boosting video games available – for, as we’ve said, computers, tablets and smartphones, or on console gaming systems. There are literally endless choices to be had.
Seniors should be encouraged to try a variety of games and systems in order to find what they enjoy best. They can also ask family and friends for recommendations and might find a new opponent or gaming partner in the process.