Carla Sousa featured as expert in The Washington Post
Carla Sousa, coordinator of the MeLCi Lab at CICANT – Lusófona University, was recently quoted as an expert source in an article published by The Washington Post.
The piece, titled “Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Play a board game” (Meeri Kim, August 27, 2025), highlights research showing that board games can boost cognition, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults.
Sousa, a games researcher, emphasised the cognitive and social benefits of analogue games: “There is a certain complexity, even for simple board games, in this process of understanding the game system that demands something from your cognition. Analogue games, in general, are also much more social than digital games.”
She also recommended beginner-friendly titles such as Carcassonne, Kingdomino, and Catan, and noted that board game shops and cafés are welcoming spaces that foster community and inclusivity. Her ongoing research explores how these spaces contribute to wellbeing and social connection.
