Millions of Adults 50-Plus Are Gaming to help Stay Sharp, Reduce Stress and Support Well-Being

WASHINGTON—Video games are playing a growing role in how Americans age 50-plus relax, keep their minds active and manage stress, according to new research from AARP. Three-quarters of older gamers say they play to relax and decompress, while nearly as many  play to keep their minds sharp.

The new study, Play on Purpose: The Motivations of Adult Gamers Age 50-plus, challenges common perceptions about both gaming and aging. Nearly half of adults age 50-plus, representing 60.2 million Americans, play video games, yet just 1 in 10 consider themselves “gamers,” highlighting how gaming has become a mainstream activity for older adults rather than a niche hobby.

“Gaming has become part of everyday life for millions of older Americans, but many don’t think of themselves as gamers,” said Brittne Kakulla, Senior Researcher at AARP. “They’re playing because it helps them relax, stay mentally engaged, manage stress and enjoy  ‘me time.’ These findings challenge outdated assumptions about who plays video games and the role gaming can play in our lives as we age.”

From the report:

• Nearly half (49%) of adults age 50-plus play video games, representing 60.2 million older Americans, and more than one in five (22%) play every day.
• Three-quarters (75%) of older gamers play to relax and decompress, nearly three-quarters (73%) play to keep their minds sharp, and roughly three in five (61%) say gaming relieves stress or anxiety.
• About three-quarters (76%) have used gaming to cope with life events, difficult feelings or circumstances, including loss, illness, caregiving, stress and major life transitions.
• Nearly four in five (79%) usually play alone, nearly two-thirds (65%) typically play for 15 to 60 minutes at a time, and less than one in 10 (7%) typically play for more than two hours.

Gaming among adults 50-plus spans gender, race, income and geography, underscoring how widely gaming has been adopted by older Americans and challenging long-held stereotypes about who plays video games. AARP’s research identifies five distinct types of older gamers, each with different motivations, from mental stimulation and stress relief to challenge, storytelling, self-expression, and social connection.

The quantitative study surveyed 2,550 U.S. adults age 50-plus, including 1,014 gamers, from June 17–22, 2026, with a reported margin of error of ±4.14 percentage points. The research also included qualitative interviews with 312 gamers age 50-plus conducted March 9–13, 2026.

To read the full report and learn more, visit AARP.org/playonpurpose. 

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

Media contact: Danny Alarcon, dalarcon@aarp.org