Imagine following a Sim for the entirety of their lives – finding a partner, launching their career, and having children – just to cast them aside when they start to grow gray hairs. The world of The Sims 4 is filled with Sims of all ages who can embark on countless adventures and shape their own destinies, but the golden years of elder Sims hold an abundance of untapped potential.
Contrary to many players’ beliefs, elder Sims can have lives that are just as enriching and exciting as any other life stage. There are many ways to revitalize the elderly, such as exploring new hobbies and skills, engaging in a different career, or forging meaningful and long-lasting relationships. Indulge in a cup of tea, settle into a comfortable chair, and discover the route to embracing senior living in The Sims 4.
1 Give Elders A Makeover
Players who enjoy legacy gameplay often dread having their favorite Sims enter the elder life stage. It can be emotional to witness the gradual aging of characters with rich backstories and countless hours of playtime. Makeovers are a great way to make the aging process a little less daunting and give elder characters more depth.
Hop into Create-A-Sim and give Sims a fresh haircut flattering for more mature individuals, such as an elegant updo or a shorter haircut. Update their facial features by adding wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of aging. Choose age-appropriate, comfortable clothing and accessories like eyeglasses to suit elder Sims' personalities.
2 Career Changes
Sims in the elder life stage have the option to retire from their careers. Doing so will give Sims a pension that is equal to half of their daily salary on the days they would have worked. Mark this achievement by throwing a social event and inviting friends and family to honor the recently retired Sim for their accomplishments.
Perhaps the physical demands of their jobs are too strenuous, and elder Sims may contemplate a different career path. There are various job opportunities in freelancing (including digital artists, programmers, and writers) that offer flexibility for Sims to work from home and at their own pace. Consider transforming those grumpy geezers into insightful critics of artwork and cuisine, employing their knowledge and discernment in a more positive manner.
3 Travel The World
After retirement, elders have all the time in the world to devote to traveling and exploring. Happy campers can rent cabins or pitch tents at Granite Falls with the Outdoor Retreat game pack. Worlds like Sulani (Island Living) and Tartosa (My Wedding Stories) offer places to relax on the beach, build sandcastles, and cool off in the ocean. Sims that prefer cold weather and snow would enjoy Mt. Komorebi from the Snow Escape expansion pack. Why not try a Jungle Adventure in Selvadorada or a Journey to Batuu?
Perhaps a more permanent change of scenery would be ideal for elder Sims looking for a new lease on life. Lively cities like San Myshuno (City Living), Del Sol Valley (Get Famous), and Windenburg (Get Together) are the perfect place to have some fun while settling down.
4 Spoil The Grandkids
The Sims 4 Growing Together expansion pack brought the concept of a "stay-over" to the game. These events are perfect for elder Sims to develop and strengthen bonds with their children and grandchildren. Encourage Sims to engage in interactions such as advising younger Sims, reflecting on the past, and reminiscing on childhood to add depth to storylines.
Take advantage of free childcare by sending children to stay at their grandparents' house. Elders can mentor Sims in a variety of different skills, help with homework and school projects, and share stories and traditions. Taking a break from routine is a good refresher for all Sims involved. It enhances the value of family dynamics and creates a more realistic gameplay experience.
5 Join A Club
Introduced in the Get Together expansion pack, the Sims can now create and join clubs. Joining clubs is a great way for elderly Sims looking to make social connections and stay involved in their community. Elders could start a book club at a cafe or library to discuss their favorite books or a gaming club to strategize and challenge others to video games, chess, and cards.
Clubs are also a good way for Sims to build skills together. Start a power walking club in which elder Sims gather at Gilbert Gardens (Growing Together) to build their fitness skills, have a quick gossip, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of San Sequoia.
6 Develop & Improve Skills
Sims of any age can enjoy skills and hobbies; however, there are a variety of hobbies perfect for the elders to enjoy. With the Nifty Knitting stuff pack, Sims can knit clothing and toys for their family members and teach others to knit. The Cottage Living expansion pack came with the ability for Sims to indulge in cross-stitching.
Elder Sims can also keep their minds sharp with the logic skill. Other skills including gardening, cooking, and baking are great for Sims looking to feed hungry mouths in the family. Enabling autonomy in settings allows Sims the opportunity to naturally pursue skills and hobbies of their choosing.
7 Redecorate The House
Feng shui is the art of rearranging furniture to bring energy back into the home environment. It's a great way to revitalize an elder's life. Decorate the house with a cozy and nostalgic feel by adding comfortable furniture, photos of family, and other meaningful items. Create a keepsake box to hold special memorabilia that can be passed down to future generations.
Empty nesters can re-purpose old childhood bedrooms as new spaces for their favorite hobbies and activities. A comfy book nook, a home office, or an art studio would be the perfect addition to any home.
8 Take Advantage Of Aspirations
Aspirations are sets of goals that players can enable for a Sim that earn them life satisfaction points. Players can use their points to purchase potions and traits to help their Sims. Potions such as sleep replacement, moodlet solver, and the potion of youth are useful for elders. Traits from this store can also help with a Sims' needs, including steel bladder, antiseptic, and seldom sleepy.
Elders can even use traits from the reward store towards their household. The free services trait allows Sims to purchase food delivery, maid, nanny, and repair services free of charge. Equipped with the frugal trait, the Sims get discounted on their weekly bills. In exchange for 1000 points, Sims can become a mentor with the ability to help other Sims progress faster in their skills.
9 Celebrate Good Times
The party doesn't stop when the Sims hit the elder life stage. Who says grandma and grandpa can't enjoy a night at the club or a university party? To keep elder Sims young at heart, encourage them to participate in events and activities they enjoyed in their youth. Celebrating with parties and family gatherings is a great way to acknowledge and pay tribute to the achievements and milestones of elder Sims.
With the My Wedding Stories game pack, Sims can renew their vows to their spouse. Strengthen the bonds that elder Sims have for each other by organizing a vow renewal party with activities such as walking down the aisle, cutting the cake, and raising a toast.
10 Download Mods
If players still aren't convinced that elder Sims can be just as entertaining as youthful Sims, there are a few mods that can provide more realistic gameplay experiences for elder Sims. The Senior Living Mod by Wicked Pixel brings additional interactions, mood buffs, skills, and services to the forefront of elderly gameplay.
Senior citizens can experience ailments such as arthritis, dementia, and incontinence with this mod. Players can schedule a doctor's visit where they can speak with specialists and purchase medications. They can even hire a residential caregiver to help with cooking, cleaning, and health at a Sims' home lot or at an assisted living facility.
The Sims 4 is currently available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.