Video Games and Senior Health? Interesting Findings!
Senior Care in Mclean VA
The typical grandparent may roll their eyes and scoff at the amount of time their grandkids spend in front of video games. However, studies have shown that these seemingly mindless video games can actually be good for senior health. Some of the ways video games can benefit a senior’s health and well-being are highlighted here.
They get seniors moving
There are a number of modern video games, especially the ones using physical interaction, such as the Wii, that can help get otherwise sedentary seniors up and moving. According to U.S. News and World Report, there are games such as boxing and bowling that get seniors, which can improve their cardiovascular health by increasing blood flow. It also encourages socialization since they can play with their friends, or elder care provider.
Improve senior’s eyesight
Despite the many naysayers that claim sitting too close to the TV can hurt a person’s eyes, video games may actually have the opposite effect. According to a study from McMaster University, older adults suffering from cataracts may actually be able to improve their vision by playing the individual shooter games such as Call of Duty and Halo. These are all fast-paced games that require rapid eye movement and quite a bit of attention, which will help to see things clearly.
Reduce feelings of stress and depression
When video games are played at least once a week, this can help to lessen feelings of anxiety and depression in those who are dealing with mental health problems. These games help in boosting the participant’s moods and have both long and short term positive effects. Games can also provide a great outlet for stress and help seniors to relax.
Improve the senior’s balance
Seniors who participate in brain-training games on the computer have been proven to have better balance than seniors who do not. This particular study is found in the Journal of Gerontology and while it may not be a conscious effort, motor skills such as walking do require cognition, which means that higher rates of falling and a number of other balance related incidents may correlate to a senior’s poor brain health. The brain games, according to the study, helped to maintain the senior participants’ overall balance and their walking speed.
Which games to play?
There are a number of different sports games, including Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports that require quite a few spatial skills, as well as a certain level of physical ability. There are also a number of fitness video games that a senior could play. This is ideal way to help the elder care provider get them up and moving.
Video games are no longer just for kids. Not only do they offer multiple health benefits, playing video games regularly is fun for the senior and gives them the opportunity to be social while gaining the many health benefits.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home senior care in Mclean VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818
Sources
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-video-games-sharpen-seniors-multitasking-memory-skills/
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/boomer-health/articles/2009/06/05/interactive-video-games-offer-exercise-benefits
http://psych.mcmaster.ca/maurerlab/Publications/Jeon_VideoGames.pdf
http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/can-video-games-keep-you-vital.aspx
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