Do video games slow down brain aging? One strong answer comes from a large NIH-funded trial known as ACTIVE, which followed adults 65 and older for two decades.
Participants who completed a program of speed-based cognitive training and plus booster sessions 1 to 3 years later were 25% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia over a 20-year period than those who received no training.
That single finding helped open the door to a broader question researchers are still exploring. What happens when cognitive training looks like a video game instead of a clinical exercise?
What the Research Actually Shows
Several studies point in the same direction.
One analysis found that adults who played video games five or more hours a week performed on cognitive tests roughly the way people 13.7 years younger typically do.
Separate research on hippocampal-based memory, the kind tied most closely to dementia risk, found that gaming improved memory performance in older adults already experiencing age-related decline, offering a stimulating, novel experience even for those who are homebound or have limited mobility.
Other studies have found measurable gains in overall cognitive functioning among older adults with mild cognitive impairment who played regularly.
Taken together, the research points to a few consistent benefits:
- Improved processing speed and sustained attention
- Better performance on memory-based cognitive tasks
- Gains in overall cognitive functioning for those with mild impairment
- Reduced long-term risk of dementia tied to specific training types
None of these findings suggest gaming replaces medical care or other proven habits. They do suggest it deserves a place alongside them.
Why Movement-Based Games Add an Extra Layer
Exercise plays its own well-documented role in brain health. Regular moderate-intensity aerobic activity can double or triple brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a protein that supports new neuron growth, and has been shown to increase hippocampal size and improve memory in older adults.
Exergames, motion-controlled games that get players up and moving, combine that physical benefit with the cognitive engagement of gaming.
A few exergames worth trying:
- Nintendo Switch Sports for light, motion-controlled activity
- Wii Bowling for a seated or standing option with real physical movement
- VR rhythm games for a more immersive, faster-paced session
Games like these offer a rare combination, delivering both a cognitive and a physical workout in the same sitting.
Where to Start: Games With Research Behind Them
Not every game is created equal when it comes to how video games affect brain health, and some have more direct research support than others.
Worth considering by category:
- Processing speed and attention improve with BrainHQ Double Decision, the only game with direct trial evidence matching the ACTIVE protocol, and Lumosity Eagle Eye, a close mainstream equivalent
- Memory and language get a workout from Wordscapes, Words With Friends, and Wordle, all of which require active recall rather than passive play
- Spatial reasoning benefits from Tetris and Candy Crush, both widely studied for pattern recognition and reaction time
- Movement paired with cognition shows up in Just Dance and Pokémon GO, which combine walking or cardio with navigation and goal-setting
- Relaxed engagement comes from Animal Crossing, Solitaire, and Mahjong, which favor low-pressure pattern recognition over speed
Starting small tends to work better than an unfamiliar game for hours at a time.
A few tips for getting started:
- Begin with 15 to 20 minutes a session rather than a long stretch
- Choose a game based on genuine interest, not just its research profile
- Pair gaming with an existing routine, like after breakfast or before dinner
- Ask family members for recommendations, since many already know these games well
None of this requires an older adult to become a serious gamer overnight. It just requires the right game showing up in the right setting, which is where community programming tends to make the difference.
Pegasus Senior Living’s Approach to Interactive Play
Across independent living, assisted living, and memory care, Pegasus Senior Living communities build interactive games into regular programming rather than treating them as an occasional novelty.
In independent living and assisted living, that often looks like trivia nights, tablet-based puzzle games, or group tournaments residents organize themselves.
Our Connections program applies the same principle through neuroplasticity and evidence-based practice, using the Connect, Move, Learn framework to match games and activities to each resident’s abilities and interests.
One example now reaching residents across most Pegasus communities is Spintopia, a live-hosted interactive game show developed with Utopia Experiences. Residents play in teams, earning points by spinning a value wheel and guessing letters, in the style of a familiar television game show, with a live host keeping the pace quick and social.
Spintopia gives residents a reason to gather and think on their feet together, regardless of their level of support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research suggests certain games, particularly those requiring active recall or fast processing, offer real cognitive benefits rather than just passing the time.
Word-based games like Wordscapes or Wordle and low-pressure games like Solitaire or Animal Crossing tend to be approachable starting points before moving on to faster-paced options.
Some research points to improved hippocampal-based memory performance in older adults, particularly with games that require active recall rather than passive viewing.
The strongest results come from combining approaches, such as exergaming, which pairs cognitive engagement with the physical activity known to support brain health.
A Different Kind of Brain Exercise
Video games and brain aging turn out to be more connected than most people expect, backed by real trial data rather than assumptions. The research doesn’t point to hours of mindless play. It points to specific, active, often social games that give the brain something to build on.
Talk to Pegasus Senior Living About Cognitive Health Programming
Curious how our communities build cognitive health into daily life? Contact a Pegasus Senior Living community near you today to learn more about Connections and our approach to brain health.
This article should not replace medical advice. Talk with a doctor before starting a new activity program, especially if you have concerns about cognitive decline, memory loss, or an existing diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia.