Playing games is more than a laughing matter
Some people think playing games is a waste of time. The truth is, board games, card games and strategy games provide all kinds of benefits, no matter how old you are, Children learn structure, rules and patience through playing games. As we get older, games can provide a vehicle for stress relief as well as a way to develop common interests across generations.
“For seniors and those with disabilities, playing games provides important opportunities to socialize, practice math skills and recharge memory pathways,” according to Andrea Tannenbaum, president of DynamicLiving.com, an on-line store that provides tools for maintaining independent living.
Playing games can mean more than a night out with friend. Some researchers believe that playing strategy games also stimulates a part of the brain that supports the immune system. Other health professionals have found links between strategic game playing and creative thinking skills that help people adapt to the physical changes that come with progressive diseases and chronic conditions.
Schedule some fun
Designate a game night at least once a month. It’s a great excuse to get out of your home if you are able. By planning this event with friends or family you can rotate who selects the game, who brings the snacks and whose home it will be in.
Senior centers, community centers and churches often host monthly events such as bingo or bridge tournaments-a great way to develop a circle of new friends.
Simple to complex
Many of the games we played as children have more sophisticated rules and variations than we may remember. Some can be played tournament style, making the game more competitive and exciting.
Dominoes, a simple table game where you match patterns on tiles, is a perfect cross-generational game. Children may like to “build” with the tiles or line them up to knock them down in an interesting pattern. For those with low vision, there are larger Domino sets with Braille, as well as sets with bigger dots or colors instead of dots.
Checkers, a strategic game with many variations in the rules, has been around for centuries. Scrabble is a board game where you fit words, crossword style, onto a board. Scrabble tiles are available with bigger letters or in yellow, which is easier to see for players who have macular degeneration.
Just for laughs
Some board games are designed specifically for social situations and often include lots of laughter. In awkward social situations you can use games to pass the time and eliminate the need for small talk.
Senior Moments is a new game designed to enhance your memory skills. The objective is to find your missing keys so you can advance to the “win” space in the center of the board. In order to advance, you must remember items from a list read to you by another player.
You may notice an improvement in your short-term memory skills even after only one round of play.
Reminiscing is the game for people over 30. Players earn points by answering trivia questions or telling stories from their past. Questions are organized by decade and might be about anything from politics to pop culture.
When visiting an elderly neighbor or friend in the hospital, bring along a compact game, like a deck of cards. Playing cards are available with bigger numbers for people who have low vision. And have fun.
This article first appeared in the March 2007 issue of Aging Arkansas.
