Playing for keeps - computerised play helps elderly stay sharp From: ICT Results European researchers have built a computerised play platform for elderly people. Field testing shows that the system keeps elderly players mentally sharp, stimulates socialisation, and can alert caregivers to developing problems. Read the entire article at: http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm?section=news&tpl=article&BrowsingType=Features&ID=90568 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513121419.htm Link: ElderGames project http://www.eldergames.org/index.php --- Playing for Keeps--Computerised Play Helps Elderly Stay Sharp ICT Results - 05/13/2009 The European Union-funded ElderGames project is designing cognitive and socially stimulating games to help older adults stay mentally sharp. Extensive trials enabled project researchers to design an inviting, interactive play table and display, and create a series of computer-driven games that challenge and monitor important cognitive skills, simulate social interaction, and are fun to play. The ElderGames system features a table with multiple cameras mounted on risers at the corners of the table used to identify each player, and special handheld pointers the players use to indicate their moves or choices, both of which allow players to interact naturally with the virtual world. Working with experts from several fields, the researchers identified a set of important mental abilities that are most affected by aging, including the ability to maintain and direct one's attention; fine motor skills; memory; and executive functions such as planning, problem solving, and decision making. The project analyzed hundreds of games and identified those that use key mental skills, could be played interactively, and were challenging and enjoyable enough to get players to play again. "Play is good in itself, but the challenge was to allow the users to train what the experts told us were the most important cognitive abilities in this period of life," says ElderGames coordinator Malena Fabregat. In addition to exercising and refining cognitive skills, the games can alert caregivers to any early warning signs of potentially serious cognitive changes.