Play Time! It’s In the Cards

Gather some friends for a game or two

A group of people smiling and playing cards together
Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

Quick Win

You may learn some new strategies and enjoy time with friends. That’s a double-win.

Try This Today

  • When you plan a get together with friends or family, include a card game in your plans.
  • Connect and enjoy the friendly competition of rummy 500, poker, bridge or spades. Extra points for being the scorekeeper.

Why

Researchers are encouraging adults to get back in the habit of play. One way to bring fun and games back into your life is with a deck of cards. Playing a game of cards with friends is a fun and easy way to improve your mood and stay engaged. In a 10-year study of more than 10,300 Australians in their 70s, playing card games was among the pursuits associated with a lower risk of dementia, along with reading, writing letters or journaling, using a computer and doing crosswords, reported in 2023 in JAMA Network Open.

More Ways to Benefit



AARP NEWSLETTERS

Mujer leyendo tableta

Get the Staying Sharp newsletter

Sign up for the latest on brain health, featuring articles, activities, recipes, games and more!

You’ve reached content that’s exclusive to AARP members.

To continue, you’ll need to become an AARP member.  Join now, and you’ll have access to all the great content and features in Staying Sharp, plus more AARP member benefits.