Would you like to know the best PC games for older adults? Why are you surprised? Don’t think that computer games are only for young people and old people can’t enjoy these hobbies. These games can have many benefits for the health of the mind and body of the elderly. In addition, PC games can be an exceptional way for having fun and socialisation with other people including their familly and friends. Elderly people can play these games with their friends and family members online and spend happy moments and hours with them.
In this article from humanhealthmag, we will review some of the best PC games for older adults. People with all skill and ability levels can access these games easily and improve their memory, concentration, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Principles of Choosing the Best PC Games for Older Adults
Choosing the right PC games for seniors can be a little challenging. We recommend solving some of these problems and challenges by considering a few points. Some of these tips include:
- Look for games that match individual skill levels and abilities. Too hard games can be boring and frustrating, while too easy games might not be challenging enough.
- Choose games that have low levels of difficulty so that older adults can improve their skills over time. Some of the games are very challenging and may be frustrating for the seniors. Look for games with adjustable difficulty levels so that they can adjust the game to the individual’s skill level.
- Pay attention to the person’s interests and preferences. Some people enjoy strategy games, while others prefer puzzle or card games. Choose games that are based on topics or genres that interest the individual.
- Look for games that are accessible to older people with mobility or vision limitations. Choose games that have customizable controls, subtitles, and other helpful features.
- Consider the person’s goals for playing the game. Does he/she want to improve his/her cognitive skills, socialize or just have fun?
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The Best PC Games for Older Adults in 2024
We have tried to choose these best PC games for older adults in different genres including action, adventure, strategy and role-playing so that we can cover all tastes. Just make sure to check if it is compatible with your device before downloading any game. There are many computer games that older people can enjoy, but here are some of the most popular and easy-to-play games for your elderly fathers and mothers:
Puzzles
Puzzle games are a great way to keep the mind active. They can help improve cognition, problem solving, and spatial thinking skills. Some popular puzzle games for seniors include:
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Sudoku
Sudoku is a puzzle in the form of a 9×9 table, some of its houses are filled with numbers 1 to 9. The goal is to fill the empty cells of the table so that, eventually, each number from 1 to 9 appears exactly once in each row, each column, and each specified 3×3 square.
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Crossword
A crossword is a table in which words are placed letter by letter, and some of its houses are intentionally left empty, which must be filled by the person who solves. These words are separated by black houses and it is a kind of entertainment. Crosswords are available in a wide range of difficulty levels, so one can be found to suit any skill level.
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The Witness
Everything starts out so great. The mysterious feeling of the island and the puzzle panels will delight every fan of mind games, and exploring the island and going up and down the map is a very pleasant experience in the first few hours. Solving the puzzles feels really good at the beginning. Completing a row of puzzles and then standing back a few steps to see the result is one of those good feelings you get after doing a hard task.
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Portal
Portal is a type of best PC games for older adultsin which the player must find an escape way out of the rooms by using his intelligence and using the available tools.
Strategy Games
Strategy games challenge the mind and force players to plan and have a tactic to win. These games helping improve problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Some popular strategy games for seniors include:
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Chess
It is often known as the “Game of Kings” is a two-person board game that is played on a chessboard using chess pieces (king, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawn). Each of the chess pieces move in a special way. They are able to hit the opponent’s pieces under special circumstances.
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Checkers or Draughts
A board game in which players play on an 8×8 square board (chess board). They can make diagonal moves with pieces. By jumping over the opponent’s piece, they can take that piece out of the round. Checkers is not as complex as chess, but it can still be a challenging and strategic game.
Simulation Games
If you want to explore virtual worlds and experience different lives, we recommend you to play the simulation game genre. Because you can get away from the stress of everyday life and try new things with these best PC games for older adults. Some of the popular simulation games for older people include:
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The Sims
The first version of The Sims was unveiled by Electronic Arts in 2000. In this game, you can create your own virtual characters (called Sims) and control their daily lives. Your job is to keep the Sims alive, satisfied, and filling their house with stuff.
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Stardew Valley
A farming simulation game that was created by Eric Barone, and developed and published by Chucklefish. The game quickly became one of the most popular indie games after releasing for PC in 2016. It takes place in a small and quiet village called Stardew Valley. The player takes control of a character who inherits an old farm from his grandfather. The player must revive the farm and make it a productive farm.
Concluding Remarks
Computer games can be fun and engaging for older adults and provide many cognitive and social benefits as well. When choosing the best PC games for older adults, it’s important to consider individual skill levels, interests, and needs. There are plenty of games to choose from. With a little research, you can find great video games that older people will enjoy.
FAQs
What are the best PC games for older adults?
There are several types of best video games that are perfect for older adults, including:
- Puzzle games for improving cognition, problem solving and thinking skills
- Strategy games for challenging the mind
- Card games for entertainment
- Simulation games for exploring the virtual world and experiencing different lives
- Role-playing games to use imagination and escape from reality
- Puzzle games to challenge the mind and solve problems
How to choose the right computer games for the elderly?
When choosing video games for seniors, it is important to consider the following:
- Skill level and selection of games according to it
- Choosing one’s favourite genre from among different genres of computer games
- Choosing games according to the individual needs of the person and fulfilling them
What tips do you have for helping older people get started with computer games?
- Use a comfortable controller for making the game easier and more enjoyable.
- Play in a quiet place with no distractions to focus and enjoy the game.
- Start with a simple game and gradually move to more challenging games.
- Playing with other people can be more fun and help keep you motivated.
- Don’t be afraid to play. The most important thing is to have entertaining times when playing the game! Win or lose doesn’t matter!
What are the advantages of PC games for elderly people?
Computer games can provide many cognitive and social benefits for older adults, including:
- Improve memory, concentration, reaction time, and problem-solving skills
- Increasing mental stimulation by keeping the mind active and preventing mental decline
- Promotion of social communication
- A fun and enjoyable way to spend time and reduce stress and anxiety
What are the recommended card games for the elderly?
Spades and Hearts are two of the most popular card games for seniors.