{"id":10282,"date":"2016-10-26T07:00:40","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T12:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=10282"},"modified":"2019-08-13T11:21:05","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T16:21:05","slug":"the-gaming-grandma-proves-video-games-are-for-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2016\/10\/the-gaming-grandma-proves-video-games-are-for-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gaming Grandma Proves Video Games Are For Everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gaming Grandma Proves Video Games Are\"The For Everyone<\/strong><\/h1>\n

If you think video games and internet fame are only for young people, Shirley Curry wants to change your mind. Curry is an\u00a080-year old online gamer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with more than 150,000 fans on YouTube. For more than a year, her fans (she calls them her \u201cgrandkids\u201d) have been watching her play through and comment on Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim<\/em> in her YouTube videos<\/a><\/strong>. Curry is a star in a genre dominated by young people, but she thinks games are a great hobby for seniors.<\/p>\n

There are already 37 million over-50 gamers<\/a><\/strong> in the US, and that number is growing fast. If you\u2019re not already one of them, now may be the time to start. Video games do more than entertain \u2013 they can also deliver health and social benefits.<\/p>\n

Online games can improve cognition<\/h2>\n

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that older adults who played the online multiplayer game World of Warcraft two hours a day for two weeks showed improvement on a cognitive function test \u2013 but only if they scored poorly on the test before the two-week test run began. Other researchers have found that complicated online games and PC games can help boost memory skills<\/a><\/strong>, too.<\/p>\n

Console games get you moving<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a reason the Wii console is so popular<\/a><\/strong> in senior living communities. It gives older adults the chance to compete in virtual bowling, archery, and other sports without the hassle of travel and the risk of injury. Wii Fit users can also learn basic yoga postures and follow low-impact step aerobics routines for points, bragging rights, and a good workout.<\/p>\n

Mobile games can get you started<\/h2>\n

Classic games like Tetris and Minesweeper are available as apps for smartphones and tablets, and they\u2019re a fun and nostalgic way to get into video games. For most new gamers, free mobile game apps are often the easiest to start with, because there\u2019s no need to buy a console and pricey games.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re comfortable gaming on your phone with simple games, you\u2019re ready to step up to the big league: Pok\u00e9mon Go. This wildly popular game combines Pok\u00e9mon characters with physical activity. In order to \u201ccatch \u2018em all\u201d you have to get out and about. Pok\u00e9mon can be found along neighborhood streets, in shops, at museums and parks, and sometimes even in your own home.<\/p>\n

Gaming can help you spend more time with your grandkids<\/h2>\n

Online PC and console games can be a great way to connect with family members who live far away. You can schedule online gameplay with your grandchildren and your grown kids as a fun and casual way to keep in touch between visits. The Steam gaming community is popular with young players both as a way to play and as a social network. Your grandkids may already be members.<\/p>\n

Online games create new social opportunities<\/h2>\n

Seniors who enjoy multiplayer games can also connect with players around the world for one-off sessions or regular meetups online. Communicating through voice and text chat\u2014as long as everyone minds their manners–can help players meet new people and build new social connections.<\/p>\n

Find more leisure activity ideas<\/a><\/strong> on the SeniorAdvisor.com blog.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Gaming Grandma Proves Video Games Are For Everyone If you think video games and internet fame are only for young people, Shirley Curry wants to change your mind. Curry is an\u00a080-year old online gamer\u00a0with more than 150,000 fans on YouTube. For more than a year, her fans (she calls them her \u201cgrandkids\u201d) have been watching her play through and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,257,35],"tags":[452,196],"class_list":{"0":"post-10282","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-family-friendly-activities","8":"category-senior-health-fitness","9":"tag-inspiring-seniors","10":"tag-technology-tips-for-seniors"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Gaming Grandma Proves Video Games Are For Everyone - SeniorAdvisor.com Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Gaming Grandma Proves Video Games Are For Everyone. 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