Game Night for Seniors

Spending extended time alone can be difficult for seniors. It can be especially painful after the loss of a spouse or when mobility problems limit their ability to be involved in the community. Playing games is a simple way to help avoid loneliness and possibly depression. Setting up a time to get together to play games with friends and family can bring joy to you and the seniors in your life.

Games have been shown to improve memory and can actually help to prevent conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Playing games can help you to live longer!

Since games can be fun, good for socializing, improves memory, and helps prevent medical conditions, it is suggested that seniors participate in games on a regular basis. Schedule game nights weekly or on a monthly basis. Check with your church or senior centers for local gatherings, or plan a night with your friends and family. Invite anyone who might want to come, even if they don’t want to participate. Remember, this is also a great time to be social, get out of the house, catch up with old friends, and meet new people. Spectators are welcome!

We all have our own idea of what games are fun, and each of us has a favorite. Keeping games fun and entertaining and slightly challenging is the most beneficial. We don’t want our loved ones to get stressed or confused while playing games. Games that are too complicated or take so long that they lose interest might not be the best choice for seniors.

Here are some types of games to try with your family;

Fun Games for Seniors

Card Games

Card games are classics. Many seniors have been playing card games all their life.

• The bridge is a game that challenges the mind, keeping it sharp.
• Rummy is a great game for two or four players.
• Cribbage is such a popular game; clubs are built around it and require memberships. If you don’t know how to play, ask your loved one. Teaching encourages seniors to participate and promotes feelings of importance and usefulness.
• Solitaire can be played in many different ways. This is a traditional game that is great to play when alone.

Board Games

Board games can be enjoyed by many people at one time. Spectators can enjoy watching how these games play out. It can be hard to see and read some of the material required to play different board games, so try to find one that has a large print. It’s a fun time for everyone!

• • One of the world’s earliest board games is Backgammon. It’s a two-player game that requires strategy, counting, tactics, and probability. The doubling cube is the latest development in the game of Backgammon. In fact, it was introduced by members of a gaming club in New York City in 1920.

• Scrabble can be played by as few as two players and up to four players. This word game is great for our minds and helps improve the spelling and vocabulary of young ones who want to play with their loved family members.
• A favorite for many seniors is Bingo. Because Bingo is wildly popular, it could be an outing for those who want to play. A night out of socializing and gaming with the potential to win prizes!

More Games for Seniors

There are many other types of games to play. Here are just a couple more that can be put down and picked back up at any time. Keeping other games around means seniors don’t have to wait until game night to find some entertainment.

• Crosswords can be played online, from a book or newspaper. Crossword puzzles can be played together or alone.
• Puzzles are wonderful because seniors can start one and come back to it days later if they’d like. They might stop, add a piece or two, and move on as they walk past. A completed puzzle can be very rewarding.

Plan a game night with family and friends, or find a group in your community that gets together regularly. Finding entertainment and good friends keeps us in good health and our spirits up, and it is fun for everyone. At Alvita Care, we strive to provide the most excellent home care services in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester County. We pride ourselves on being available 24/7 in the event that you need assistance. You can always contact or call  212-273-0490