Playing video games could help stave off dementia in seniors

New research has revealed older Aussies keen to stave off memory loss are taking up gaming.

James Fahey enjoys playing video games with his sons Tristan, 14, and Jesse, 16. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

More than three-quarters of Aussie parents are gaming with their kids to connect with them, while more than a third of seniors are using video games to fight dementia, research suggests.

More than 40 per cent per cent of people over 65 are playing video games to keep their minds active and beat back memory loss.

Conducted by Bond University and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, the research was released this week in the Digital Australia 2022 report.

While 76 per cent of parents said they played video games with their children occasionally or often during the pandemic, 31 per cent also said they used video games as a tool to help their children cope and de-stress during lockdowns.

Bond University Professor Jeffrey Brand, who ran the study of more than 1000 Australian households, said the main reason parents played video games with their children was to “connect with them”.

“Video games provide a wonderful opportunity to connect,” Prof Brand said.

“Parents and children reading together is a powerful way for them to bond over stories, but playing video games together can be the same sort of bonding experience.

“While playing video games, you solve puzzles together, you explore worlds together and you often share frustrations together.”

Merrimu dad James Fahey, his sons Jesse, 16, and Tristan, 14, together with their mum Kylie now enjoy a family gaming night every week because of lockdown.

“It is something we really look forward to,” Mr Fahey said.

They take turns picking games to play – including Mario Party, Mario Kart or anything that can accommodate four players on one screen – to be able to spend quality time together.

“We do get quite competitive but it always ends up in a laugh.”

Mr Fahey said while he has always been close to his sons, the family gaming night has strengthened their bond.

The family of four even sent an Xbox to Mr Fahey’s parents, aged in their 60s.

“We thought we would keep it very basic for them, so one of the games we played was Shrek Super Party,” Mr Fahey said.

“Once we got it all set up, we had a really good time.

“They have really embraced it.”

The research also found that 42 per cent of seniors (aged 65 and over) used video games to keep their minds active over the pandemic, to increase “cognitive elasticity” and to potentially ward off dementia.

Prof Brand said this was partly due to the fact that video games are now easily accessible on mobile phones and tablets.

“And there is a wide range of games for them to play, like traditional board games and card games,” he said.

More than 75 per cent of Aussies who played video games used them to connect with others during the pandemic, the research also revealed.