Let’s Play: The Benefits of Games for Seniors

Games are amazingly fun! In fact, we host frequent game nights here at our communities at Blue Harbor Senior Living. Research shows, however, that games are more than just fun! In fact, they boast a host of benefits, from improved mood to sharpened memory. In this edition of the True Blue blog, let’s learn about the benefits!

Improved Memory

Let’s flex our brains! A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that seniors who stretch and work their brains on a regular basis may reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study looked at seniors' leisure activities over a 20-year period and found that individuals who played board games or card games, played musical instruments, danced for fun/exercise, and read for pleasure showed a reduced incidence of dementia.

Fun Way to Flex Our Brains

Active seniors who regularly play board and card games experience several benefits beyond the reduced risk of disease. The intellectual challenge of these games can be fun and thrilling. When we’re able to excel at (and enjoy!) a game, even ones that aren’t complex, like BINGO!, we feel a boost in self-esteem. The fun-loving nature of games helps to give us a mood boost!

Joyful Social Connection

Seniors who play games also benefit from the social aspect of these activities; they meet new people, gather with friends to chat and catch up, and build a social group within their communities. Playing games can create a wonderful sense of family, community, and fun.

Games at Blue Harbor

At Blue Harbor, our active senior living communities organize a host of regularly-scheduled opportunities for fun and games! Games and board games are a very popular pastime around here! We always ensure that our residents have ample playing time and that we seek out new and exciting games for them to try and enjoy.

Margaret E., a Chateau Brickyard Senior Living resident who learned to play one of her favorite games while living at Chateau said, "I love Jenga! Gigi, our Activities Director, introduced it to us when she came this year. She taught me how to play it. It is a very challenging game and it's fun when I make the tower fall."

Our Favorite Games

Some of the most popular games regularly enjoyed among our communities are puzzles, Bingo, Jenga, Apples to Apples, The Price is Right, Name that Tune, target shoot, and bean bag toss. A few other favorites include UNO!, Phase Ten Skip-Bo, pinochle, Blackjack, and Canasta.

Chateau Brickyard Senior Living resident Bill C. said, "My favorite game is pinochle. I learned to play it when I was young from my brothers. My mom taught my brothers and I learned from them."

Let’s Be Together

Most importantly of all, games are a way for anyone to strengthen their sense of community—and fun! If you’re interested in experiencing one of our wonderful activities firsthand, we’d love to show you around. Just reach out to us and our team will be happy to help! For more fun updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook. Have fun playing, and let us know what YOUR favorite games are!