Study Shows Benefits of Online Video Games for Seniors

From Consumer Reports, a study showing that a little gaming time can be beneficial for seniors. 

According to researchers from the University of California at Irvine, seniors who play online brain games can boost their cognitive skills to be just as sharp as those decades younger than them. 

“The brain is not a muscle, but like our bodies, if we work out and train it, we can improve our mental performance,” said researcher Mark Steyvers. “We discovered that people in the upper ranges who completed specific training tasks were able to beef up their brain’s ability to switch between tasks in the game at a level similar to untrained 20- and 30-year-olds.” 

This doesn’t mean you should start setting up Fortnite or League of Legends accounts for grandma and grandpa. But there are a plethora of simpler games out there which may be great for them to play beyond Minesweeper and Solitaire. From the ubiquitous titles like Minecraft & Stardew Valley to online portals like Luminosity or My Brain Trainer. Even digital versions of analog games sudoku and crossword puzzles can fit the bill. 

Avoid games that require split-second reflexes or tons of memorization. Especially steer away from games loaded with microtransactions or in-game purchases (like Candy Crush). Be sparing with competitive games; focus more on an individual or co-operative experiences.