This article was contributed by Annie Button
For a long time, video games were seen as something just for children. Perhaps this stems from their origins in video arcades. Today, however, we recognise that video games are for everyone. In fact, 19% of gamers are aged 55 or over.
Whilst it’s true that some games are specifically aimed at children, there are other games for people who love to be spooked or exhilarated. Some perfectly simulate sitting behind the wheel of a racing car and others challenge your brain with mind-bending puzzles.
One of the reasons video games are such an appealing hobby for the over-50s is their challenging nature. Whether it be getting stuck trying to beat a certain level, challenging yourself against other players around the world, or the hours of fun and entertainment they provide, video games have a universal appeal.
Yes, video games are not just for children. Here’s why they are great for older people.
Improve Short-Term Memory and Cognitive Function
There are a wide range of video games genres, and they each have challenges that players must overcome to win. From games that require you to use strategy and think four moves ahead, to others that rely on quick reactions or the development of fine motor skills, there are plenty of ways that video games can improve how we function away from the screen.
In particular, playing games can help us improve our cognitive function as they rely on the use of short-term memory and require us to switch quickly between different tasks. This can greatly improve mental flexibility. Many studies focus on the positive effects of gaming amongst the younger generation, but the benefits to the older brain have not been overlooked by researchers. A 2013 study discovered video games drastically improve cognitive function in people aged between 60 and 85.
Improved Emotional Wellbeing
Gaming is not all about fast reflexes, difficult button combinations, and competing against teenagers online. In fact, there is an entire sector of the gaming market that is as removed from that aspect as possible.
Mindfulness is alive and well in video games thanks to titles like Animal Crossing or Minecraft, where the stakes aren’t so high. Instead, you focus on cultivating your own patch of land, foraging for goods, and building a landscape that matches your personal taste.
There is also the main reason why people play video games to consider: they’re fun. A study of 140 people over 63 who played video games discovered that they enjoyed better emotional wellbeing compared to non-players. In particular, these gamers reported higher levels of happiness and social functioning, while also experiencing lower rates of depression.
Improving Your Coordination
Playing video games often forces you to make decisions faster while also coordinating what you’re doing with your hands to control the character or actions on the screen. Almost all games require hand-eye coordination on some level and the good news is that the more you play, the better your coordination will become.
Some games require higher levels of coordination that others, so you may have to work you way up to some of the more challenging titles. Better coordination impacts our lives, too. While good for gaming, it also helps us with spatial awareness, which is helpful for everyday actions like brushing your hair, eating with a knife and fork, or writing and drawing.
Remaining Active
As video games moved from arcades and into our homes, there was little need to be active. Movement was limited to fingers and thumbs operating a controller, mouse, or keyboard. However, thanks to the success of video game consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, and its most recent successor the Switch, video games can now be played with your whole body.
In fact, there are games purely designed for exercise, such as Ring Fit Adventure, which transports you to another world in which you must complete fitness challenges to survive. The challenge can be tailored to your level of fitness, making sure you can enjoy a gentle pace to get you moving. Alternatively, why not ramp up the difficulty to really build up a sweat?
As we get older, being physically fit and able is more about how well we can balance, having the strength to pick things and ourselves up, and quality of life, rather than how good we look. Video games with an element of physical play allow us to gently improve core fitness aspects such as balance and coordination. This helps us overcome real-world obstacles like they are nothing more than part of a game we are playing.
Virtual Reality and Simulation Technology Benefits
Virtual reality (VR) was once a science-fiction dream. However, as technology has continued to improve, we can now transport ourselves to another world before our very eyes. With VR headsets and supporting equipment, we can walk around our living rooms as though we are in the world of the game we are playing, helping us to remain mobile.
Modern simulation technology is also incredibly realistic and can aid with anything from training pilots to fly, to helping racing drivers master the corners on the world’s best tracks. We can even install simulation technology in our home to further our hobbies and interests. Golf simulators are a great example of using what is essentially a video games to improve your skills on a real course.
Games Are Social Now
The stereotype of a person who plays video games is an unfair one. It would suggest they spend hours locked in a dark room communicating with nobody. In truth, video games are a far cry from this, and most include an element of social play thanks to the online features that are prominent in almost all games these days.
With headsets for speaking directly to, as well as coordinating with, fellow players, to chat functions that you can find even on mobile games, gamers are more sociable than you might think. There are gaming conventions to celebrate this culture across all corners of the world, where people can attend dressed as their favourite characters – known as cosplay.
Many people find it harder to meet new people when entering retirement. This is particularly true if you aren’t able to leave the house as often as you might like. Fortunately, playing video games on our phones can help us make connections with people who like the same types of games as us. For example, if you like word puzzles, you can play games like Scrabble or Words With Friends against other people from around the world, or your close friends and family.
Where to Start?
If you have never played video games before but are interested in making a start, then there is no better time than the present. Rather than investing in a games console or computer, you can get to gaming right away through your smartphone or tablet.
Many games are available to play for free via the application store. You can choose from simple word games to popular puzzles like Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga. As for games consoles, the Nintendo Switch is more accessible than others, and it can either be played on your TV screen or in your hands. This makes it a great portable option, so you don’t have to stop the fun while you’re on the move.
Personal Alarms from LifeConnect24
It’s important to look after your wellbeing in later life. If you want some extra support at home, consider a personal alarm from LifeConnect24. Help can be arranged at the press of a button.
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