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As we age, it’s a great idea to look for more ways to keep our bodies and minds healthy. From going to the doctor on a regular basis, taking your medications on time, and choosing the right medical alarm to suit your needs, there are many things you can do to improve your physical well-being. And there are many ways to improve your cognitive function, including social interaction, board games, and even indulging in new recipes in the kitchen.
Online games have become a common way for seniors to test their mental mettle while improving their memory and even hand-eye coordination.
Many studies, including one in Gerontechnology, report that brain games improve cognitive function, memory, and brain plasticity in senior and elderly adults.1 And the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that some specific games (those that are multi-player, have little time pressure, and are played on a computer) offered the best benefit.2
The Best Online Games for Seniors
You might be wondering which games are best for you. The bottom line is that if a game looks good to you, give it a try! Though some games might bring more benefits, any online game will boost your brain function. And besides that, some games with lots of color and lively music can give you a boost of serotonin and dopamine too – these feel-good hormones can reduce depression and anxiety as an added bonus.
Many online games are entirely free, but some of them have “in app purchases” that cost real money. The paid games can include training programs or support, which is great for seniors who are just starting out with online games. And just as with a personal emergency button alert system, you might be surprised to learn how affordable the paid games are.
Whether you choose the free versions or the paid ones, seniors get strong benefits from online games.
Here are 10 great, online games to get you started. They’re listed in no particular order, because what suits you best might not be the game that best suits someone else – it’s a very personal choice. You can also choose to play these games on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, although most of them are optimized for a smartphone, which makes it easy to play on-the-go.
1. Wordle
This unique word game challenges you to discover a hidden 5 letter word. A new word is released every day and you have six attempts to figure it out. As you make guesses, the tiles covering each letter of the mystery word change color to let you know which letters you got right, and if they are in the correct order or not. This game requires concentration and planning, as you only get so many tries to get it correct. Many who play it love to post their results on social media or see how well they compare with friends.
2. Scrabble
Welcome to the classic word game, only this time, it’s online! Almost everyone has played Scrabble on an old-fashioned board at some point. Now you can play the same game on your computer. You have the option to either play against a computer bot, play with people you know, or play with strangers.
As you work to piece together words, you are also trying to get the highest score, which requires calculation of the letters and choosing which word placed on which area of the board will get the most points. It’s great for enhancing the brain in every way, especially for seniors.
3. Words with Friends
Another extremely popular word game, this one takes the concept of Scrabble and combines it with social interaction. While you can opt for solo play with challenges the game offers up, playing with family or friends is the most common form of gameplay. You can choose the option with no time limit which means a game between friends could go on for days – great for those who are very busy but still want to stay in touch. The social interaction of this game might be the most valuable asset to your cognitive function.
4. Chess
Chess is one of those games that takes a little bit of time to learn, but a lifetime to master. The games can be short and sweet or they can last for days. No game is ever the same. There is great challenge in figuring out how to move the different pieces to protect your King while going after your opponent at the same time. Critical thinking and analysis, strategy, and memory skills are built with every turn.
There are many online options for chess, including playing against the computer or playing against a human. Seniors who have never played before can even find “tutoring” games where a skilled chess player will guide you through how to play.
5. Mahjong
This is a popular tile-matching game that you can play on your own or with others. Even if you play on your own, you can often find Mahjong games that offer a scoreboard, allowing you to enjoy the feeling of competition as you see your ranking rise. Mahjong tiles can look like almost anything, so it’s not unusual to find different boards for holidays or special interests. Matching games are great for improving memory, recall, and planning skills.
6. Jigsaw Puzzles
Did you know that you can play jigsaw puzzles online? These virtual puzzles allow you to zoom in on pieces, sort them into piles, and place them with a swipe or tap of your finger.
This game is often easier to do on a computer with a nice monitor so you can see more of the puzzle at once. Whether physical or virtual, puzzles enhance your visual perception and recognition, memory, and other cognitive functioning.
7. Treasure Hunts
These online games hide certain objects on a board and ask you to find them. A few examples include Scavenger Hunt, which asks you to find hundreds of tiny objects in a sea of other tiny objects, or Treasure Hunt, which is a pirate-themed game that requires you to remember items found in each room of a ship. These games improve your memory and cognitive functioning, as well as give you the satisfaction of finding the tiniest things trying to hide from you!
8. Solitaire
Who hasn’t played this card game? Playing solitaire trains your brain to recognize patterns and enhances your memory. Though it’s something that is usually played alone – thus the name – it can also be played with others or you can choose a game type that allows you to rack up points. Some solitaire game platforms have a chat function, which allows you to talk to others even if you are playing alone.
9. Word Search
These games usually offer new word search puzzles every day and at every skill level. You can start out at the lowest levels and quickly work your way up to the more difficult ones that take more time and can leave you scratching your head.
These games can take the form of the classic word search, which offers up a grid of letters and requires you to highlight the words you are seeking. They can also take the form of a group of letters from which you have to find the words and spell them out. Finding the words tests your memory and visual perception.
Though this is usually a solitary kind of game, some online platforms offer a chat function so you can catch up with friends in “rooms” that you create to invite others to play alongside you.
10. Brain Training
There are many online games that are very clear about their intention – to train your brain.
Elevate is a good example of this. It’s a brain-training app that offers a variety of challenges to test your cognitive ability, attention span, memory, and speed.
Some brain-training apps learn your style and personalize games for you so that you are tested in the areas that are lacking; for instance, if you excel at memory games but you seem to lag on attention span, the game will tailor a challenge intended to keep you deeply engaged.
There are many of these types of games out there, so try a few and find the right one for you.
Start Gaming Today for a Smarter Tomorrow
New research in the Journal of the American Medical Association points out that lifestyle enrichment in later life, such as playing online games, can reduce the risk of dementia. In fact, the study found that the elderly who engaged in activities such as chess, word games, puzzles, and the like were up to 11% less likely to develop dementia.3 That’s a great reason to start playing!
As you play the games that improve your cognitive ability, be sure to take into account your physical health as well. An alert for elderly adults, especially one with fall detection, can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you can press a single button to get help right away if you suffer a fall or other medical emergency can allow you to live a more stress-free life. Here’s to better senior whole health!
