Active Brain Games for Seniors

Ivan Močnik
Drustvo Disora (Slovenia)
Cristina Mourão Steiger Garção
Universisade Senior (Portugal)
Michelle Zühlke Knudsen
DGI Vestjylland (Denmark)
Murat Seyfi (ed)
Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7188-235X
Hıdır Polat (ed)
Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7839-4666

Synopsis

This guidebook, titled "Active Brain Games for Seniors," serves as a strategic framework for using gamification to enhance the physical, mental, and social well-being of the elderly. Funded by the European Union, it brings together research and practical insights from Turkey, Denmark, Slovenia, and Portugal to combat age-related cognitive decline and social isolation.

The core components of the book include:

  • The Power of Play: It identifies games as vital tools for providing mental stimulation (e.g., puzzles and chess), reducing stress, and fostering emotional health.
  • Human-Centered Design: By utilizing the "Empathy Map" method, the project seeks to understand the fears, thoughts, and expectations of seniors. This ensures that future games are not perceived as "childish" but are instead tailored to their specific mobility levels and cognitive needs.
  • International Case Studies: The report details successful initiatives, such as the therapeutic value of Bridge in Portugal, memory-strengthening proverb games in Slovenia, and "SMART Training" in Denmark, which focuses on concentration and motor skills.
  • Practical Framework: It provides detailed interview forms and workshop guides for professionals. Findings suggest that seniors are often highly competitive and motivated by social recognition and "hygge" (a sense of coziness and togetherness).

In conclusion, the guidebook emphasizes that "keeping the brain alive" through structured play allows seniors to live life more colorfully and maintain their autonomy for longer.

How to cite this book

Močnik, I. & Garção, C. M. S. & Knudsen, M. Z. & Seyfi, M. & Polat, H. (eds.) (2025). Active Brain Games for Seniors. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1158

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Published

December 30, 2025

ISBN

PDF
978-625-8562-49-1

DOI

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