With age, you might notice a change in your hand-eye coordination, which simply means using the visual input you get through your eyes to coordinate the movements of your hands or body. Doing activities that require hand-eye coordination may help you maintain the skill longer. When you play cards, you often need this skill. For instance, when you shuffle a deck of cards, you use your vision to align the cards and shuffle them properly. Hand-eye coordination helps you keep the cards neat and stacked so they don't spill over the table. Dealing cards and stacking or arranging them based on the game play also takes coordination.
Since playing cards are small and thin, they challenge your fine motor skills, which can help you retain them longer. Gripping can become more challenging with age, so holding your cards in your hand can help you practice it. You also need to be able to handle the cards when you need to grab them and do something with them. Putting together jigsaw puzzles is a similar way to work on fine motor skills that can deteriorate with age.
Cards aren't all fun and games. You're engaging your brain in various ways, even though it doesn't feel like work. It's an entertaining way to give your brain a workout. First, you engage your cognitive processes by learning and remembering the rules of each game. Sure, you might need a refresher if you haven't played the game in a while, but you continue recalling the rules and procedures as you play.
Strategizing to win the game also challenges your brain and can help you improve your cognitive functioning. You often need to recall details to help you win. For instance, if you're playing Go Fish with your grandchildren, you might recall that one of them previously asked you for a queen. At the time, you didn't have it, but then you drew one. When it's your turn, remembering which grandchild asked for the queen earlier helps you strategize your move.
Coming up with strategies requires you to think critically, use reasoning and anticipate what your opponents might do. It can help you polish your problem-solving skills to keep your brain sharp, and you get to practice decision-making. General concentration on the game also helps support your cognitive health.
With the exception of Solitaire, most popular card games require at least two people to play. That means playing your favorite card games gives you a chance to socialize. Sure, it's fun to be with friends and loved ones, but it's also good for your mental health. It can help you fight loneliness, which is often an issue for older adults. The camaraderie can boost your mood and help ease feelings of depression.
It's not just a matter of being together to play a game. You'll likely start chatting while you play, which helps you develop deeper, more meaningful connections to your fellow players. You might discover new things you have in common or find support for a difficult situation you're experiencing. To get more benefits of socialization through card playing, put together a group of neighbors from Cambridge Court to meet regularly and play card games.
Another way card games can support mental health is by reducing stress levels. Unless you're playing with highly competitive individuals who make the interactions stressful, the entertainment of playing cards can put you at ease. The concentration on your strategies may help take your mind off stressful situations in your life. Plus, the socialization aspect can help you feel more relaxed. Talking through a stressful situation while you play could help you process it or get suggestions from others to help with the issue.
Card games unite people of all ages. With so many card game options, you can find one that's easy enough for kids and adults of all ages. Having those multigenerational interactions can improve your empathy and give you different perspectives on life. Card games can also give you some common ground with the younger people in your life. Entertaining your grandchildren with card games can be a fun way to bond with them if you're not sure what to talk to them about.
A deck of cards is compact and easy to take anywhere. For most card games, all you need is a table or other flat surface. That convenience makes it easier to beat boredom, socialize or boost your mood with a fun activity no matter where you are.
Getting older can cause changes to memory and physical skills, which can make some older adults feel limited. They might not have as much success in all activities as they did when they were younger. Card games can help everyone find success, no matter what their skills are. This can boost confidence and improve overall mood.
