Gaming for Seniors: How Video Games Can Benefit Older Adults

Video games are for everyone — people of all ages can enjoy them as a fun way to stay active, mentally sharp, and socially connected. More and more people are embracing gaming for seniors, breaking outdated stereotypes and showing that it’s never too late to press play.

Games can help reduce stress and keep the mind stimulated, thus delaying cognitive aging. A study from the University of Iowa found that older adults who played video games designed to challenge mental processing speed and skill were able to delay cognitive decline. Some video games may even promote physical fitness. This is especially true with motion-controlled games and virtual reality (VR) fitness games. But that’s not all. Read on to discover more surprising benefits of playing video games.

9 Reasons Why Gaming for Seniors Can Be Beneficial

Here are nine ways video games support seniors’ well-being and lifestyle: 

1. Improving Memory

Video games give the brain a strong mental workout through complex and interesting tasks that activate cognitive functions. U.C. San Francisco’s Neuroscape Center revealed that their virtual reality game called Labyrinth enhanced high-fidelity memory in older adults. In Labyrinth, players navigate through increasingly large and complex virtual neighborhoods and complete errands that utilize both physical and cognitive engagement through the 42 available levels, thus promoting an increase in both physical and cognitive activity. Although the study did not have a high enough sample size to make conclusions on what specific percentage of individuals would benefit from playing Labyrinth, they did see a significant improvement in long-term memory capacity in the Labyrinth playing group versus a placebo. 

Similarly, a University of York study showed that digital puzzle games improved the memory performance of senior adults. Their cognitive performance matched the memory capabilities of people in their 20s. 

2. Enhancing Hand-Eye Coordination

Seniors can develop better hand-eye coordination through video games. To play these games, you must be able to move precisely and respond quickly. Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that older adults playing Rise of Nations improved their task-switching capabilities and visual short-term memory. Rise of Nations is a real-time strategy game where players control a nation and manage its economy, military, and technological development from the Ancient Age to the Information Age. This requires specific cognitive training, which resulted in improvement of memory, reasoning, and processing speed, with benefits lasting for years after the intervention.

Other games you can play for better hand-eye coordination include Super Mario 64. Studies show that playing games with 3D-platform training (i.e., games with a three-dimensional environment where players control a character to navigate platforms, jump between obstacles, and complete spatial challenges) increases hippocampal grey matter, which helps in spatial navigation and coordination.​

3. Boosting Mood and Reducing Stress

Do you ever notice how a quick game can lift your mood? It’s real and science proves it. Researchers at Oxford University found that just 15 minutes of playing PowerWash Simulator daily improves the mood of 72 percent of participants. In PowerWash Simulator, players use a high-pressure water washer to clean various objects and can gain feelings of satisfaction from accomplishing the task of restoring cleanliness. 

Other relaxing games to try include Animal Crossing, Tetris, or Flower. You don’t have to play games all day. Twenty to 30 minutes a day is enough. Avoid fast-paced or highly competitive games like Call of Duty or League of Legends. These games, which require beating an opponent in direct competitions and battles, may have the opposite effect.​ There are specific research studies that found that playing these types of “fear” or “excitement” inducing games can increase stress and lead to higher levels of fear and other negative emotions. 

4. Increasing Social Interaction

Video games boost social engagement among elderly people. This is especially true of games with communication features. Multiplayer games like Words with Friends, New Horizons, Jackbox Party Games, and Mario Kart create opportunities for social interaction and dialogue. Many of these games can be played online, thus allowing increased social interactions with people who are not directly in the room with you. This provides a great opportunity to connect with friends and family who may not be local. 

Reach out to friends or family to participate in some gameplay sessions. Keep it fun by chatting throughout the game. The social connections you make during the gameplay will help improve your social skills and maintain good relationships. 

5. Sharpening Problem-Solving Skills

It seems video games are not just mindless fun. They can help seniors develop problem-solving skills. Certain games involve complex scenarios that make you think strategically. 

For example, in puzzle games like Portal 2 or The Room, you’re constantly solving layered challenges. Each level demands logic, patience, and creative thinking as you explore the stage to either reach an exit in Portal 2 or unlock a puzzle box in The Room. 

Researchers at the University of Houston found that gaming experiences help develop key skills such as patience, perseverance, and self-confidence. The best part of building these skills through gameplay is that players can apply them in the real world to solve problems.

6. Delaying Cognitive Decline

The mental stimulation from playing video games could slow down cognitive decline for older adults. University of Iowa researchers found that seniors who played Road Tour for a total of 10 hours experienced better cognitive function. The results were equated to a seven-year postponement of mental decline.

We are often being told that digital devices can make us dull, but this claim might not be entirely true, as emerging research suggests otherwise. One study showed that habitual digital device use, including video games, decreased cognitive impairment risk for individuals over 50. However, it should be noted that these beneficial effects are generally limited to device usage that includes an active component, whether it is a physical or cognitive activity. Indeed, a large study published in 2023 found that more time spent on cognitively passive digital activities — such as watching TV — was associated with an increased risk of dementia, regardless of physical activity levels, while cognitively active digital activities could reduce dementia risk. 

7. Improving Reaction Time

Video games can help seniors improve their response times because many of these games demand fast decision-making and hand-eye coordination. Action games like Mario Kart or Brain Age require split-second decisions. With more repetitions, your reflexes become quicker over time.

According to some research, seniors who played video games showed significant improvements in reaction time and cognitive skills, including attention and memory. If you’re new to gaming, begin with easy games and gradually advance to more difficult levels of gaming. There are so many different types of games available that individuals can often find games that are aligned with their own interests. Many games are also available for free online or through your tablet or smartphone, and thus do not require any specialized software or hardware to play. 

8. Building Digital Literacy

Technology can feel like a foreign language to many seniors. But video games are changing the narrative. Gaming for seniors can lead to more digital literacy. They can learn to operate digital devices efficiently to enjoy gaming, especially those that are more complex. 

Moreover, the interactive nature of games sparks curiosity. It encourages seniors to try out other tools and platforms. With greater digital literacy, older adults will be able to access information easily and enjoy the benefits of social media. They will also be able to participate in multiple online activities, which enhance their independence and quality of life.

9. Encouraging Physical Activity

Active video games (AVGs) increase physical activity in seniors. These games are built to make you move. Popular AVGs include Wii Sports and Ring Fit Adventure. Wii Sports is an interactive game where you can play computerized versions of your favorite sports — like bowling, tennis, or golf — in the comfort of your home. However, this does require the Nintendo Wii console. Ring Fit Adventure is a role-playing game that combines physical exercise with interactive gameplay to make exercise fun, but also requires a console, the Nintendo Switch. There are many “no console needed” alternatives, including mobile and tablet apps like Just Dance where you use your mobile phone as a controller and dance with a smart TV or computer. Create a safe play space and begin with short gaming sessions. Enable multiplayer settings if available so you can enjoy the activity with friends or family. 

A 2024 systematic review found that AVGs can enhance both muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness in older adults. Significant results were seen after 12 weeks of sessions greater than 60 minutes in length. In addition to increasing physical fitness, these action-packed games also help you enjoy the mental benefits of exercise.

Final Thoughts About Gaming for Seniors

Video games have proven that they are more than mere entertainment. They’re a powerful tool for improving mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. 

Countless scientific studies have presented concrete evidence that gaming for seniors could improve memory, reflexes, and social skills. The best part of using games to improve your well-being is that you can also enjoy the entertainment they provide.