HOT PURSUIT
Losing your mind can be a scary venture and certainly something you don’t want to encounter. I have seen it firsthand with a relative battling dementia.
That’s why my curiosity peaked when I came across a recent story published in the Washington Post citing research that shows playing a board game reduces the risk of dementia.
It’s hard to believe that something as simple and fun as board games can have such a profound impact on someone’s life.
Our family has enjoyed board games as long as I can remember. We often have family game nights centered around different games like Farming, Monopoly, Scrabble, Ticket to Ride and many other favorites. We also have a couple favorite card games, Rook and UNO.
Board games are associated with higher cognition, improved quality of life and a lower risk of developing dementia for older adults. Engaging in games enhances memory, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, all of which help maintain mental agility.
There are other benefits as well. Social interaction that goes on during board games is known to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, which are factors closely linked to dementia risk.
According to the research cited by the Post, studies have found that older adults who play board games regularly have up to 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-players. An eight-week program involving board games led to measurable improvements in cognition and mobility among seniors.
The global board games market reportedly has an estimated value of $18.53 billion and is projected to grow by $5.17 billion over the next four years. The most popular games are chess, Monopoly, Scrabble and Go. They are joined by new favs: Ticket to Ride, Pandemic and Wingspan.
Board games have always provided me with a chance for healthy competition to beat another family member. It’s a cheap form of entertainment, especially on those cold winter nights that often plaque Minnesota.
“There is a certain complexity, even for simple board games, in this process of understanding the game system that demands something from your cognition,” said Carla Sousa, a games researcher at the Center for Research in Applied Communication, Culture and New Technologies at Lusofona University. “Analogue games, in general, are also much more social than digital games.”
With life expectancies growing, it’s imperative to find ways to help seniors keep their minds sharp. Life expectancy in the U.S. is forecasted to increase from 78.3 years in 2022 to 79.9 years in 2035 and 80.4 years in 20050 for all sexes.
In one study, residents in nursing homes who engaged in twice-weekly board game sessions facilitated by trained professionals showed improvements in cognitive functions as comprehension, memory and attention over a group that did not. The residents also showed gains in quality of life.
If you’re new to playing games, it’s recommended to start simple and play in person rather than virtually.
I encourage you to make a fun night out of playing board games while enjoying the company of friends or family members. Some of my happiest memories have come out of game nights.
Besides having fun, playing games may put you in hot pursuit of keeping yourself or another loved one out of the memory care unit.