91-Year-Old Ohio Woman Found Playing Video Games During Police Welfare Check

Police visit prompts laughter after discovering the elderly gamer trying to beat her high score

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:25pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark black silhouettes of geometric shapes and forms, representing an elderly person deeply focused on playing video games.A 91-year-old's gaming passion proves too absorbing to answer routine welfare calls.Westlake Today

A 91-year-old woman in Westlake, Ohio, who is part of the city's "Are You Okay?" police program, missed her regular check-in call as well as follow-up calls from police and her daughter. Officers were dispatched to her home to check on her welfare, only to find the woman playing video games in her bedroom and trying to beat her record.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing trend of elderly gamers who are embracing video games as a lifelong hobby. It also demonstrates the importance of welfare check programs, which can help ensure the safety of vulnerable older adults living alone, while also showing that sometimes these checks can result in lighthearted situations.

The details

When the 91-year-old woman missed her regular check-in call and subsequent follow-up calls, the Westlake Police Department was notified and officers were dispatched to her home. Upon entering through the garage, the officers found the woman in her bedroom, engrossed in playing video games and trying to beat her high score. The woman was "thankful" for the in-person check-in, and the police captain said "everyone got a good laugh out of it."

  • On Thursday, April 9, the 91-year-old woman missed her regular check-in call.
  • Police were dispatched to her home after she also missed follow-up calls.

The players

Westlake Police Department

The police department in Westlake, Ohio that operates the "Are You Okay?" program, which provides daily check-in calls for elderly and disabled residents living alone.

91-year-old woman

The elderly resident in Westlake, Ohio who was found playing video games in her bedroom during a police welfare check.

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What they’re saying

“We're here with her now, she's playing video games in her bedroom.”

— Dispatched officer

“Everyone got a good laugh out of it.”

— Jerry Vogel, Westlake Police captain

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing trend of elderly gamers who are embracing video games as a lifelong hobby, and the importance of welfare check programs in ensuring the safety of vulnerable older adults, while also showing that these checks can sometimes result in lighthearted situations.