Research to Practice Recommendations

Engagement in gameplay improves when social components of play are included. Game design mechanisms such as focus, flow, and cognitive stimulation will increase engagement and, in turn, decrease feelings of loneliness. 

• Fund and develop digital literacy programs for seniors in community centres, seniors homes, and medical centres, which are trusted locations that seniors can gain information to decrease the digital divide  (Larsson et al., 2020; Regalado et al., 2020 ).

• Hearing and visual accommodations for online games are important design features that developers should consider adding to their platforms for older adults to access (Jung, 2025; Choi & Lee, 2021).

• Adjusting text size, size of icons and controls, and creating a simple controller for older less mobile adults would help in engaging this population (Minge & Cymek, 2020).

Older adults who have experienced losses, both physical and social, may turn to low-effort, high-engagement activities like gaming to avoid further depletion of emotional or social resources, while attempting to replenish them through enjoyment or mental stimulation (Jung, 2025). 

Digital games reduce loneliness through social connection. Social interactions and the social component of play are essential to reducing loneliness through gameplay.  

• Build intergenerational online gaming programs that integrate  players of all ages playing together (Yue et al., 2025; Châtel et al., 2024).

• Partner with local high schools and colleges to invite students into seniors homes to teach them how to play interactive games.

• Older adults’ motivations for gaming are often rooted in emotional and relational needs, such as social interaction and family bonding, and intergenerational connection (Yue et al., 2025).

• Create community gaming centres that can host gaming events for seniors.

• Building digital literacy skills can allow for older adults to connect with family and friends living away through social media, online gaming, and other digital platforms. 

• Older adults value reciprocal and  meaningful connection with others (Janssen et al., 2023)

• Design multiplayer or socially orientated interventions to create online gaming  for older women. Women are more likely to report improvements in social connectedness with multiplayer or socially orientated interventions (Jung, 2025).

Select games that prioritize social interaction, whether through in-person gameplay, online interactive players, or social elements in game design.

Older adults benefit from activities that feel purposeful, socially valued, and align with their identities. 

• Games need to be challenging but user-friendly, and allow for communication, and not contain childish programming (Janssen et al., 2023).

• Seniors engage more deeply when games connect to family roles or personal goals (Yue et al., 2025).

• Gamified apps fail when they do not resonate with seniors' internal motivations (Chatel et al., 2024).

• Digital literacy support enables seniors to feel capable, independent, and connected to society (Xia & Zhu, 2025).

Loneliness reduction and technology training will be unintended consequences when Seniors organizations and Tech Developers frame game-based play around connection and shared, meaningful experiences.

Recommendations: 

• Design inclusive game-based learning modules for seniors centres, that teaches digital literacy and online gaming

• Design gameplay around traditional games, but playing online, that are familiar and evoke positive memories for seniors of playing in-person games to keep cognitive functions and social engagement active. 

Games provide opportunities for mastery, progress, and self-efficacy.

• Exergames improve mobility, balance, and perceived competence (Brox et al., 2011; Song et al., 2025).

• Gamified tasks can support feelings of achievement, but must be individualized to avoid frustration (Minge & Cymek, 2020).

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interventions improve digital confidence, which can increase a senior's independence and willingness to socialize (Xia & Zhu, 2025.) 

Recommendations:

Design programs that reinforce seniors' interest and motivation

• set small achievable goals in program design

• reduce cognitive load in gameplay by considering pacing and complexity in game design

• emphasize accomplishments in skill-building, collect and provide access to low-barrier social games

• regular, consistent participation in programs and play to maintain social connections and skill level