Growing older doesn’t mean stopping to learn, connect or have fun. Whether gathered around the kitchen table with family, sharing an afternoon at a community centre or spending time with caregivers, board games offer older adults much more than entertainment. They create opportunities to stay engaged, maintain social connections and enjoy meaningful moments together.
In recent years, scientific research has also highlighted another important role for games: as non-pharmacological interventions that can support cognitive engagement and wellbeing, particularly for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders (Wu et al., in press).
Games support healthy ageing
As we age, staying socially, physically, and mentally active becomes increasingly important. While board games cannot prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease, they can play a valuable role alongside medical care by helping people remain engaged in enjoyable and meaningful activities. This approach is part of what healthcare professionals call non-pharmacological interventions: activities designed to support quality of life without medication.
Research led by Prof. Philippe Robert on people living with Alzheimer’s also suggests that adapted board games can contribute to reducing apathy, a common symptom characterised by a loss of motivation and initiative, because they support emotional engagement and social interaction.
Another study led by Dr. Rachel Wu involving healthy older adults has shown that learning and playing modern board games can enhance cognitive abilities and wellbeing, suggesting that play can be a meaningful part of healthy ageing throughout later life.
Alzheimer’s disease affects much more than memory. Attention, language, executive functions (necessary to adapt in new situations) and orientation can also become more challenging over time. Healthcare professionals therefore recommend activities that engage preserved abilities without creating unnecessary frustration or sense of failure. The goal is not to restore lost abilities. It is to preserve existing ones for as long as possible, encourage participation and create positive experiences for both players and those around them.
Depending on the mechanic, a game can help engage several skills including :
- Attention
- Working memory
- Communication
- Emotional expression
Each game offers different opportunities, allowing caregivers and professionals to choose experiences that best match each person’s interests and abilities, such as :
- General knowledge
- Creativity
- Handcraft
Play is also about connection
The interest/relevance of games extend far beyond skill/ability engagement. For many older adults, especially those living with dementia, social isolation can become one of the greatest challenges. Playing together creates moments of conversation, laughter and shared achievement. Family members and professional caregivers often look for meaningful activities that strengthen relationships without constantly reminding people of their condition. A board game offers something unique: an often familiar activity that belongs to everyday life, not just in healthcare settings. It creates a moment where the focus shifts from the disease to the person. Conversations aren’t centered on symptoms, appointments, or daily care. Instead, players can talk about the game at hand, the strategies and the funny mistakes. These simple moments create a welcome sense of normality for everyone around the table.
Selecting adapted games
Not every game is suitable for every player. Small design choices can make a significant difference in creating enjoyable play experiences for older adults. Prof. Philippe Robert’s work highlights the importance of:
- Clear and readable components
- Simplified manipulation
- Progressive levels of difficulty
These adaptations help maintain player engagement while reducing frustration, allowing to focus on the enjoyment of playing rather than the difficulty of the task.
Accessibility is not about making games easier. It is about making them easier to access. If you need help adapting a game, you can refer to our Board Game Universality Index.
The asmodee access+ game recommendations for senior players
- Dobble Giant
- Dixit
- Match Madness (Deblok!)
By offering a variety of play experiences, caregivers can choose activities that best suit each person’s interests, abilities and preferences.
Every person experiences ageing differently and every person living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia has unique interests, strengths and needs. Board games will never replace medical care, but they can become valuable companions alongside it, creating opportunities for conversation, engagement and shared enjoyment.
