The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) conducted a survey in 2022 to study the gaming habits of "baby boomer" adults aged 50 and above in the United States. The study found that a significant proportion of adults in this age group are active gamers, with 44% of those surveyed reporting that they play video games at least once a month.
The AARP study found that gaming is a popular activity among adults aged 50 and above, with 74% of respondents reporting that they play games to have fun and 63% citing stress relief as a reason for gaming. Furthermore, 49% of the respondents said that gaming helps them stay mentally sharp, and 47% reported that gaming helps them stay socially connected.
The most popular gaming device among adults aged 50 and above is the smartphone, with 52% of respondents reporting that they play games on their smartphones. The next most popular devices were desktop computers (39%), laptops (35%), and tablets (25%).
The most popular types of games played by this age group were puzzle games, card and board games, and word games. The study also found that 56% of adults aged 50 and above who play video games play with others, either in person or online. Among those who play with others, 55% play with family members, 51% play with friends, and 14% play with people they've met through online gaming.
Popular Games for Seniors:
- Words with Friends - a Scrabble-style game where players form words on a board to score points.
- Sudoku - a number-based puzzle game that exercises the brain.
- Solitaire - a classic card game that can be played alone or with others.
- Mahjong - a tile-based game that involves matching pairs of tiles to clear the board.
- 2048 - a number-based puzzle game that involves sliding tiles to combine numbers and reach the highest score possible.
- Trivia Crack - a quiz game where players compete to answer questions correctly in various categories.
- Chess - a classic board game that can be played against other players or the computer.
- Candy Crush Saga - a popular puzzle game where players match candies to progress through levels.
- Hidden Object - a game where players search for hidden objects in various scenes.
- Bubble Shooter - a game where players shoot bubbles to match colors and clear the board.
Gaming can be a great way for seniors to connect with younger generations, such as Gen Z and X. Many younger people are passionate about gaming, and this can be a common ground for older adults to bond with them. By playing games together, seniors can engage in meaningful conversations and build relationships with younger family members, friends, and acquaintances.
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