Myths vs. Facts
Most older adults prefer being alone.
What is False: Most value meaningful connections.
A favorite game in senior communities with simple games like bowling, tennis and golf. It is easy to play in groups, family event or gathering.
What is Wii Sports/Nintendo Switch Sports.
Simple game where you match candies that requires focus, strategy, pattern recognition. Can be downloaded for free on most devices and an easy way to relax while waiting for an appointment.
What is Candy Crush?
An enjoyable game that will get you moving with simple routines with a range of songs that can improve balance, music and coordination.
What is Just Dance?
A social networking service founded in 2004. It allows you to post pictures/videos to share publicly and join groups. You are also able to connect and sent messages directly.
What is Facebook?
Being alone and being lonely are the same thing.
What is False: Being alone is usually by choice, to self-reflect, time of peace, being content.
Loneliness: internal, emotional experience of not being connected, social isolation or emptiness.
These items can be the easiest way for older adults for gaming with a touch screen. Many include free or low cost games that keep the mind active.
What is smartphone or tablet?
A game that requires you to fit shapes together as they fall. It sharpens spatial awareness, reaction time and problem-solving skills.
What is tetris?
A wearable device that can monitor your daily health activities such as steps taken, heart rate, sleep patterns and calories burned.
What is a fitness tracker?
A large body of research shows that these two things have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity.
What is social isolation and loneliness?
Many older adults use smartphones, tablets, social media, video call and digital games regularly.
What is true?
Most older adults are interested in technology; it is having access and opportunities to use.
Name the generation that is the most socially isolated.
What is Generation Z?
Digital version of scrabble, a word building game that challenges your vocabulary. It can be played at your own pace against family, friends or others on-line. Makes it easy to stay connected and create intergenerational connections.
What is Words with Friends?
Name a top reason why older people have an increased interest and use of gaming.
What are reasons to relax, keep their minds sharp, reduce boredom and it is fun.
This population is becoming more visible in the gamer mainstream – sometimes to the confusion of their peers on multiplayer platforms.
What are older adults?
What is False: social isolation occurs when there is a lack of contact with society, family and friends. Measured by living alone, having lack of resources to connect with others (transportation, technology), life changes (retirement, widow), health issues (mobility) or cognitive abilities.
1/4 of adults 65 and older are considered socially isolated.
The term used to describe technology driven physical activities that encourage physical activity/movement.
What is Exergaming or VR?
What is Alzheimer's Disease.
Name a way that gaming has been shown to improve mental and physical health outcomes in older adults.
What is improve memory function, decrease depressive symptoms, increase longevity, improve reaction times and mobility.
The gap between older adults who have access and the skills to use modern technology and those who do not.
What is the digital divide?
Older adults have nothing in common with younger generations.
What is False: Engaging in shared activities that include gaming can create meaningful intergenerational relationships and common interests.
Which make up the largest group of gamers, men or women?
What is women?
Women aged 50 and over make up approximately 52% to 58% of older gaming population.
What is Mahjong or Solitaire?
Gaming should be done in moderation, if not it can result in what type of symptoms.
What is eye strain/fatigue, pain in wrist/fingers, neck and back pain (no more than 3 hours at a time).
Try the 20 20 20 rule; looking at something 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Who are the people who need to conform to the principles of good design for older adults and engage them directly in the design process.
What is game designers?