Playing games, whether they are indoor, outdoor, or online, offers lots of fun and health benefits for seniors. Research has shown that engaging in mental activities can have positive effects on brain regions like the cerebellum and the hippocampus. These are essential for learning new information, retaining it, and moving around safely.
Activities like video gaming, puzzle solving, or even the occasional crossword puzzle can offer healthy cognitive stimulation for seniors.
So, what games are ideal for bringing you closer to your friends and getting in a mental workout? Try out some of these fun options!
Wii Games
Thanks to the Wii’s motion-capture technology, even older adults can enjoy and benefit from playing video games. Seniors with arthritis can play Wii games as they do not require precise hand movements but rather larger, more natural arm motions.
This is a fantastic option for those who want to play active games like tennis but don’t want to stand up the whole time.
Jigsaw Puzzles
The element of competition is not necessary for a good game.
When everyone works together toward the same goal, like completing a jigsaw puzzle, it can bring people closer together. Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is a fun and effective technique to improve your attention span, focus, and recall.
Puzzles require thinking, organization, problem-solving, and memory, but aren’t stressful or mentally exhausting.
Chess
Seniors will love the challenge of competing against a more intellectual opponent in a game of chess. Seniors with vision impairments can also enjoy the game thanks to the odd shapes of the pieces and the game’s traditional black and white color scheme.
Bingo
Bingo is the perfect activity for a big group of seniors to enjoy together as they can play it while sitting. It’s a lot of fun to play, and you get to win exciting prizes. Seniors with limited mobility can also enjoy a game of bingo thanks to the availability of large-sized scorecards and markers.
Seniors living in assisted living communities can enjoy these games with their friends and neighbors easily.
Moreover, moving into an assisted living community can help seniors with many of the issues they may encounter as they age.
If you’re looking for a senior living community in Oklahoma that offers fun and healthy activities for its residents, we can help. Our team at Next Level Senior Advisors can get referrals from the best options in the city so you can find a community that fits your goals and budget.
Get in touch with us today!
