In general, elderly video games have many benefits for these people. Any interaction that is new to the brain and challenges it can strengthen the brain and improve its function. Computer games also strengthen the memory and reasoning power of elderly people and can be useful in preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s. For example, best PC games for older adults improve the memory of elderly people.
Since doing anything that brings pleasure and increases vitality in a person is directly effective in improving mood. For this reason, playing computer games can also make the elderly feel better due to increased excitement and happiness. It can be concluded that elderly gamers will be less likely to suffer from depression. In the following article from humanhealthmag, we will examine some of the benefits of computer games and their impact on social relationships, cognition, and physical benefits they have on the elderly.
The Importance of Video Games for Seniors
Elderly video games have many benefits for seniors. These games are no longer just for little kids. The cognitive skills, technical elements, and opportunity for social interaction can offer tremendous benefits to seniors who are trying to stay healthy and avoid diseases like Alzheimer’s. If you are in your senior years or if you have a loved one who is elderly, you may want to add video games to your regular activities. Just as playing games improves your cognitive abilities, it also exercises the part of the brain that helps with your memory.
Research continues to show that gaming can serve as a great activity for seniors for a variety of reasons. By playing video games regularly, you can strengthen the brain’s hippocampus, which is the center of learning, and ultimately reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. So the more games you play now, the better chance you have of maintaining your memory in the years to come.
Benefits of Elderly Video Games
According to research, elderly video games that have some complexity are beneficial for improving mental health. Some games help strengthen memory and cognitive skills, which can train the brain to maintain focus by playing these games. The type of game affects its benefits and benefits. Some games offer specific mental benefits, while others focus on the physical aspects or the fun factor. Here are the most important benefits of Best Video Games for Older Adults:
- Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and help treat it
Computer intellectual games improve the memory and reasoning power of the elderly and can also be useful in preventing mental decline. Recent research has even shown a connection between video games in the elderly and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. This study examined the relationship between 3D gaming and tissue growth in various areas of the brain – especially the hippocampus, an area associated with memory and the development of Alzheimer’s. The study found an increase in hippocampal gray matter in a group of 33 people aged 55 to 75, confirming their improved brain health.
- Strengthening and improving balance
Among computer and video games, certain games that require physical interaction, such as Wii Sports and the like, can help seniors improve balance, coordination, and reflexes due to the quick decision-making and action required to play. Some seniors have even reported faster walking speeds as a result of playing video games. It may not be obvious at first, but improving cognitive skills can translate into improved balance.
- Improving cognitive abilities
Video games can enhance a gamer’s memory, especially their short-term memory. These games can sometimes even help seniors remember things like names, addresses, phone numbers, dates, and times better. In addition, video games force players to react faster. This can lead to increased mental flexibility and multitasking ability for seniors.
- Providing fun, excitement and entertainment
nIn addition to all the benefits mentioned in improving the health of older people, computer games for the elderly also create excitement and entertainment for them. There is no competition in these games, it is just fun and everyone encourages each other and actually enjoys being together and playing the game and having fun. Video games such as best oculus quest 2 games for older adults are among the activities that both create pleasure and are effective in improving their health.
More Research on Seniors and Video Games
Research has shown that there has been a significant increase in the number of seniors playing online games. For example, an adult gaming company surveyed the number of adults who play video games and found that 76 percent of players are female. Seventy-one percent are over 40, while almost half (47 percent) are over 50.
According to research, elderly video games have many benefits for improving the mental health of seniors. By playing these games, you can train the brain to maintain focus. The key is to improve your game and learn continuously. Some games offer specific mental benefits while others focus on the physical aspects or the fun factor. The ability to focus and think quickly is essential in fast-paced games or games that have time limits, and critical thinking is essential for many strategy games. What this research tells our dear seniors and their children is that video games have countless benefits for improving the emotional health of seniors.
Some of the Best Elderly Video Games
In this section, we introduce some of the best elderly video games to you, my dears.
The Alto Collection
- Developer: Snowman
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Android, and iOS
The Alto Collection (2015) is a collection of games including Alto’s Odyssey and Alto’s Adventure. Both are action-packed adventures that take you through beautiful mountains, dunes, and valleys on a journey filled with peace and mystery. All you have to worry about is hitting the jump button to avoid gaps, rocks, and other hazards. This makes for a very simple and enjoyable experience, thanks to the stunning views and the soothing flow you feel as you descend the mountain. The game’s calming nature and easy-to-start gameplay make this a great choice for games recommended for adults.
Babble Royale
- Developer: Frank Lantz
- Platform: PC
Babble Royale is a word-based puzzle game played online with up to 16 other players. You race to make words at the same time, similar to Scrabble. However, you do this by trying to stay on the board and avoid the oncoming storm. The game combines the combat of the battle royale genre with the game of Scrabble. You choose a starting position and then place tiles to make related words and gain territory. If you can connect your word grid to another player, they are defeated. Familiarity with Scrabble makes the game playable even for people who have never played online games before.
Wilmot’s Warehouse
- Developer: Hollow Ponds
- Platform: Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Wilmot’s Warehouse is a game for people who like to organize everything. It’s about creating order out of chaos. Lots of little boxes with icons will fall to the bottom of the warehouse, and you have to decide how to organize them so you can provide the right items to the customers who make it to the top. It’s about the satisfaction of being in control, where you can play at your own pace and there’s no penalty for being slow.
LocoRoco
- Developer: Sony Japan Studio
- Platforms: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Portable (PSP)
LocoRoco is another action game that has been a hit with older gamers. Whether you find a way to play it on the Vita or PSP, or play it in its remastered form on the PlayStation 4, the controls are just two buttons plus direction. What starts out as a simple challenge soon adds more mechanics that lead the player to a full-fledged and engaging platforming experience that will appeal to players of all ages.
Concluding Remarks
In this article, we talked about elderly video games and described some of the best games for the elderly. From boosting memory to better learning, the benefits of computer games for the brain are numerous. Scientific research has also recently revealed the benefits of computer games for the brain. Contrary to our old belief, these video games not only provide mental stimulation, but also improve a person’s memory and coordination skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Simple Video Games Have a Positive Effect on the Elderly?
Research shows that video games can help reduce symptoms of depression, such as loss of pleasure, in older adults. Games like Minecraft can also strengthen social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness. One factor that plays a significant role in anxiety disorders and depression is isolation. Many people are isolated in real life, and the support of a community in the gaming environment can reduce this isolation and its consequences.
Do Video Games Make Older Adults Feel Better?
A new study of 140 seniors over the age of 63 found that video gamers had better well-being, social functioning, and health than other people. In this study, not only were these indicators positive, but the older gamers also reported lower levels of depression than others.
Are Video Games Linked to a Reduced Risk of Alzheimer’s?
Surprisingly, recent research has even shown a link between video games in the elderly and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. This study examined the relationship between 3D gaming and tissue growth in various areas of the brain – specifically the hippocampus, an area associated with memory and the progression of Alzheimer’s. The study found an increase in hippocampal gray matter in a group of 33 people aged 55 to 75, confirming their improved brain health.