Today’s senior citizens are technologically adept, and many of them have been playing video games for decades. A recent survey found that over 50 million older Americans consider themselves video game players. Elderly gamers who want to continue to play video games can certainly do so during in-home senior care.
As seniors age, their choices in video games may change. These are some of the best video games for older gamers.
Neuroracer Increases Senior Citizens’ Ability to Multitask
This simulated driving game takes gamers along winding roads. They have to both watch the road and signs along the side of the road – responding when they see the signs. In a study, senior citizens who played video games improved their ability to multitask, something that becomes more difficult to do as we age.
Neuroracer can be played on PCs, laptops and mobile devices.
Wii Sports Helps Senior Citizens Increase Mobility and Balance
Seniors with a Nintendo Wii console can utilize Wii Sports for exercising in the home. The sporting games on the console can be adjusted to a senior’s needs and be as low impact as necessary.
There are a variety of games that seniors can play with Wii Sports including bowling, baseball, tennis, and golf. Seniors who want to work on balance can use the Wii Balance Board. It assists elderly Wii Sports players to improve an uneven center of balance through training modes that include balance games and yoga.
PGA Tour Video Game Lets Senior Citizens Who Can’t Get to the Golf Course Hit the Links
There are versions of this popular golfing game that allow senior citizen players to play as famous golfers for consoles such as Playstation and Xbox as well as versions for mobile devices. The game can be played at home or on the go.
The benefit of the PGA Tour video game for older adults is both improved hand/eye coordination and problem-solving skills. It also allows those playing to get a glimpse of what it’s like to play on some of the dream golf courses they’ve never been able to play on.
Rock Band and Guitar Hero Provide Older Gamers with all the Benefits that Music Has to Offer
Who hasn’t dreamed of being a rock star at one point or another? Music role-playing games like Rock Band and Guitar hero allow senior citizens to live that dream. They can sing, play guitar, or play the drums – the latter two giving them some physical exercise.
And, these video games can help improve the memory of older players by bringing back songs from their younger days with Beatles versions or versions that allow players to choose songs from past decades.
World of Warcraft Helps Boost Seniors’ Cognitive Abilities
Back in 2012, researchers from North Carolina University studied two groups of seniors. One group played World of Warcraft (or WoW as it’s known). The others did not. At the end of the research, they found that those who had played the game had greater improvement of spatial ability, memory, and focus than those that had not played.
World of Warcraft can be played on a PC or a laptop.
About the Author
Kelsey Simpson enjoys writing about things that can help others. She lives in South Jersey and is the proud companion to two German Shepherds and spends her free time volunteering in dog shelters.
