Games for the elderly are good time fillers, boredom smashers, help get people engaged together and the laughter, well, you can’t beat the medicine of a good chuckle, or knee-slapper!

Games

Games and activities can bring people together in groups and enhance a sense of belonging and participation. When people share laughter through games together it can help to bond people that otherwise feel no personal connection.

Laughter

Laughter has its own benefit but games can also help improve memory, dexterity, reduce stress and remove a sense of isolation. All because they threw some bean bags together or beat their own high score or finished a puzzle.

Here are some games to keep in mind for the seniors in your care. Some are more suited to the elderly with some independence. Others are better suited to low functioning seniors and seniors with vision impairment, arthritis and dementia challenges.

Brain Games and Mind Games

Brain games for seniors are obviously good for exercising the mind and sharpening awareness skills.

Memory Games

Games like this can help a senior maintain cognitive functioning longer when they suffer from Alzheimer’s or other dementia. And Memory games are always good for everyone anyway!

Word Games

Word games are good for exercising the mind and maintaining, or increasing vocabulary. These games are good for groups and for individuals on their own.

Dice and Card Games

Dice can be usually handled quite easily by everyone, even those with arthritis. Larger dice are available too. Cards can be a little more difficult to hold, but come in larger sizes for the visually impaired and card holders can help those unable to hold them well.

Bingo Games

Bingo games, bingo game supplies, bingo board games. Theme bingo, shapes and colors bingo, trivia bingo, animals bingo … So many options when it comes to bingo.

Board Games

Board games have large pieces and small pieces and depending on the game, some may not be able to play as easily as others. But it is a great way to get another senior, more capable, to help those that need assistance. The one helping feels a sense of helpfulness and the one helped may feel appreciative that someone would help and allow them to feel a valid participant in the game.

Senior Trivia Games

Trivia for seniors is a great group activity. Religion, geography, TV shows, song lyrics, etc. You will never run out of possible topics for trivia. It. Just. Won’t. Happen.

Group and Party Games

These can be the most fun and really help to pull the less expressive out of their shell.

Puzzles

Puzzles of all kinds are great for exercising the mind and challenging focus, dexterity and cognition.

Large Piece Puzzles

Sudoku Puzzles

Dementia Activities

Included for those with low functioning capacity.

Low Vision Games and Pieces

Included for those with special vision considerations.

Video Games

Video games for the elderly is a growing niche in the industry. Helping to improve memory and physical health (wii games).