Digital Games Create Positive and Healthy Experiences for Older People

Playing digital games is an activity that may be commonly associated with the younger age groups, but in fact is enjoyed by a wide age range of people from 20 to at least 65.

Indeed, as research student Jo Iacovides discovered, older people would often prefer to receive a game for Christmas than something more traditional such as slippers or clothing.

Jo is a PhD student at the Open University and recently conducted a survey where she found that the demographics are making significant shifts in the games playing population. Jo found that people learn a lot from playing games and that the activity really does benefit their minds. The fact that over 50s are playing a lot more games means that their mental capacity is improving and they have a positive outlook which in turn benefits overall health.

Jo conducted her survey using emails, onsite case studies and questionnaires.

The research student said: "One participant I monitored in our labs was a 59-year-old mother, who was reluctant to describe herself as a gamer yet she admitted to enjoying digital games on Facebook and playing collaborative games on the Nintendo Wii with her adult daughter".

In the two-hour long sessions at The Open University's technology labs, nine participants got to engage in games within a special "lounge" complete with a sofa and games consoles.

Jo added: “People in the lab did get frustrated when they got stuck, and trying again and trying different solutions is all part of the challenge. But if they were unable to figure out a solution or progressed without understanding why, then their involvement with the game was liable to break down as their sense of ‘agency’ would be reduced.”

The OU found the respondents for the questionnaires through its website channels. Over 50 per cent pronounced themselves "moderate gamers".

The bottom line is that the value in games playing is underestimated as there are so many valuable lessons, such as patience, perseverance and learning from one's mistakes. There is so much to be gained from the experience which must enhance the intellectual capacity of so many older people in their fifties, sixties and often beyond.

What's this?