Playing games can have many benefits for people with Parkinson’s

“I accuse Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with a revolver.” Wait, does anyone have a conservatory in their home, and if so, what is it? Is colonel pronounced “col-o-nel” or with the letter “r”?

If any of the above rings a bell, then, like me, you grew up playing Clue, a murder mystery board game for older kids and families. Not only did I play the game as a child, but my own children also loved it. We played so often that we ran out of pages in the notepads that were provided and had to make homemade notebooks to track our accusations.

Now that I no longer play board games daily with young kids, I’ve graduated to playing games with my girlfriends and my husband, Arman, who has Parkinson’s disease.

Every Friday afternoon, I play a tile-based game called mahjong with my close group of girlfriends. My mother and grandmother also played it, and I love continuing the tradition. It’s a game of skill and luck, and I don’t win very often. My favorite part is spending time with friends, which is important for me as a caregiver. Plus, there’s the yummy lunches and desserts. (I’m so easy to please!)

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Games with Arman

Arman and I enjoy playing the card game gin rummy in the evenings. We keep a tally of our wins and losses; he is currently in the lead. I purchased wooden cardholders to make gameplay easier for Arman, as his Parkinson’s symptoms make it challenging to hold and organize the cards.

As much as we enjoy taking a walk after dinner (exercise is an important tool in the fight against Parkinson’s), we also love playing games. Card and board games aren’t just a fun way to socialize; they can also provide various benefits, especially for older adults. It’s a win-win.

According to the Mayo Clinic News Network, “A Mayo Clinic study found that engaging in cognitive activities like reading books, playing games or crafting in middle age or later life are associated with a decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment.” This is especially important for Arman, as Parkinson’s is known to cause cognitive issues.

Mental health issues and loneliness can arise at any age, but they can be particularly challenging for older adults and anyone living with a chronic illness. Staying connected with friends and family is important, and engaging in activities like games with loved ones can provide both mental stimulation and socialization.

The benefits of gameplay aren’t limited to board and card games, though. According to an article published earlier this year on Parkinson’s News Today, “Playing rehabilitative video games along with physical therapy is more effective than conventional physical therapy only for managing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a study suggests.”

I was amazed that a video game could provide this type of result. This is an exciting development for the Parkinson’s community.

No matter the player’s age, games can provide countless benefits, from helping kids make special childhood memories to providing socialization and cognitive stimulation for adults. All this talk about games has me thinking about dusting off Clue for the next time my family is all together.

Happy gaming to all!

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.