Whether you’re old, young, or somewhere in between, everyone loves a good game. Some games test your creativity, your memory, or your knowledge, while others are simply silly and social. Although there are many games that seniors can enjoy, today we’ve compiled a list of the top games for seniors based on popularity, required skills, and cognitive and social benefits. Have we included your favorites?
Top Games for Seniors
Puzzles. Solving a puzzle is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. It’s easy for friends to join in throughout the day, and you can find puzzles with large pieces so that you don’t strain your eyes.
Card Games. We don’t have time to list all the possibilities here, but whether you love poker, bridge, rummy, blackjack, spades, or crazy eights, card games are simply classics. With one inexpensive deck of cards, you can play hundreds of different games. Plus, large-print decks are available.
Trivia. There are many trivia games on the market. Some focus on a specific subject while others combine several genres (science, history, arts, etc). Trivial Pursuit is a common choice, and it comes in many variations these days. Reminiscing focuses on nostalgic questions, and it’s a great way for seniors to reminisce with one another, as you might have guessed. You might also be interested in these trivia cards for any year, which feature trivia questions focused on a particular year in history.
Bingo. There’s a reason why bingo is so incredibly popular at assisted living facilities. It’s interactive, it can involve a large number of people, anyone can play it, and everyone loves the thrill that comes with winning. Schedule a bingo night event complete with music, snacks, and fun prizes.
Solitary Games. Although we encourage seniors to use games as a social activity, they’re also great for those times when you need to be alone. Popular one-person games include solitaire, crossword puzzles, word searches, and sudoku.
Mahjong. Although mahjong originated in China many years ago, it’s still quite popular today. Plus, it’s mentally stimulating, it can keep your mind sharp, and these days, it’s even available online and through mobile apps!
Online Games and Apps. Speaking of which, more and more seniors are using computers, tablets, and phones for games. There are a number of free games available online, and they vary widely in style and type. Plus, games apps are a fantastic way for seniors to interact with their young children and grandchildren. You can compete against one another in a variety of games like Words with Friends or Candy Crush, and you’ll feel quite hip playing the games that kids are raving about!
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If your favorite game isn’t offered at your assisted living facility, ask the staff if they would consider adding it to their collection. They might fall in love with the idea, especially if the game will appeal to most of the other residents.
Finally, if you’re looking for an assisted living facility in the Midwest, be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living Place. Our eight locations are scattered throughout Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and we would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the facility, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. We look forward to meeting you!