Ellen’s father, Albert, spent a lot of time just sitting in his recliner reading a book or watching television. Although she didn’t begrudge her father some well-earned rest after a life of hard work, she worried that he might not be getting enough exercise. She also thought he seemed bored and detached much of the time. One evening her father came to her house for dinner. Before the meal, her son Justin was playing video games. Her father sat in a chair watching him play an active sports game. He cheered when Justin hit a home run. When Justin invited his grandfather to play with him, Ellen expected him to decline. But, Albert got up from the chair and took the controller. Soon he and Justin were engaged in a battle that had Albert moving about the room, smiling, and telling Justin about playing baseball when he was young.
It turns out that Ellen isn’t the only person to have seen positive results from an older adult playing video games. Many long-term care facilities and senior centers have begun offering video games to the elderly in an attempt to help them be more physically active and engage socially with others.
Studies indicate that some video games have brain benefits. In fact, in one study, participants who played 3D video games that involved puzzles and logic had an increase in grey matter in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important in long-term cognitive health.
Other benefits of playing video games include:
As people play games, they also learn. They learn how to play the game better, what to do to win, and how to maneuver the controls. Any time their brain is engaged in learning, your older family member is improving their cognitive health. Learning causes the brain to build new connections, or synapses, between neurons.
In addition to improving brain health, some video games can also improve physical health because they increase physical activity. Platforms like Wii that involve movement beyond pressing buttons give older adults a chance to move their bodies more. Games like bowling, baseball, and tennis are easy for seniors to learn and can even be played from a wheelchair. Yet, they require lots of arm movement, which can get the heart pumping.
If you think your aging relative might enjoy playing video games, an elder care provider can help them to get set up to play. An elder care provider can turn on the television and system and get the older adult set in front of the television to play. An elder care provider can also encourage them to play by picking up a controller and playing with them, engaging in a fun and friendly competition.
Sources
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171206141648.htm
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/games-to-keep-you-young#1
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Loxahatchee, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.
It turns out that Ellen isn’t the only person to have seen positive results from an older adult playing video games. Many long-term care facilities and senior centers have begun offering video games to the elderly in an attempt to help them be more physically active and engage socially with others.
Studies indicate that some video games have brain benefits. In fact, in one study, participants who played 3D video games that involved puzzles and logic had an increase in grey matter in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important in long-term cognitive health.
Other benefits of playing video games include:
- Improved quick decision making.
- Better hand-eye coordination.
- Improved auditory perception.
As people play games, they also learn. They learn how to play the game better, what to do to win, and how to maneuver the controls. Any time their brain is engaged in learning, your older family member is improving their cognitive health. Learning causes the brain to build new connections, or synapses, between neurons.
In addition to improving brain health, some video games can also improve physical health because they increase physical activity. Platforms like Wii that involve movement beyond pressing buttons give older adults a chance to move their bodies more. Games like bowling, baseball, and tennis are easy for seniors to learn and can even be played from a wheelchair. Yet, they require lots of arm movement, which can get the heart pumping.
If you think your aging relative might enjoy playing video games, an elder care provider can help them to get set up to play. An elder care provider can turn on the television and system and get the older adult set in front of the television to play. An elder care provider can also encourage them to play by picking up a controller and playing with them, engaging in a fun and friendly competition.
Sources
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171206141648.htm
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/games-to-keep-you-young#1
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Loxahatchee, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.