From Cards to Candy Crush: Unveiling the Health Perks of Playing Games with Friends

Playing games is more than just a pastime for older adults — it's an important activity that fosters social connections, enhances cognitive health, and boosts overall well-being. According to a recent AARP survey of 1,002 adults age 50-plus, a majority (65%) reported playing games with friends. This activity spans various formats, from traditional card games to online games, highlighting its widespread appeal and numerous benefits. The survey reveals that playing games not only provides entertainment but also supports mental health, reduces stress, and keeps minds active.

Playing card games is popular among friends.

A substantial 65% of adults age 50-plus engage in playing games with their friends, with card games emerging as the most popular choice (33%), followed by online games (27%), and board games (21%). Also, results show a notable interest in board games, particularly among adults ages 50–64, with 24% favoring this format compared to 17% of those age 65-plus. The preference for card games underscores the enduring appeal of a traditional game format among older adults.

Building bonds and boosting health are benefits of game play.

Playing games with friends offers significant health benefits for older adults, with 70% of respondents believing that it supports cognitive health. Furthermore, 66% agree that it enhances mental health and overall well-being. Regular game play also helps mitigate feelings of loneliness and isolation; three in five adults (58%) report that playing games helps them feel socially connected to others. In fact, older adult women are significantly more likely than men to say this.

The home is a popular venue for playing games among older adults.

The home is the most popular setting for older adults to play games with friends, with 65% of respondents indicating that they play games in their own homes. Additionally, 50% enjoy playing at a friend's home, and 34% prefer a family member's home. Interestingly, adults age 65-plus are more likely to play games at local community centers (9% vs. 4%) or senior living common spaces (7% vs. 2%) compared to their younger counterparts ages 50–64. These preferences illustrate the importance of familiar and comfortable settings for playing games among older adults.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted July 18–24, 2024 among 1,002 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.

For more information about this survey, please contact Lona Choi-Allum at lallum@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.