The Eldergames Project (Development of high therapeutic value IST-based games for monitoring and improving the quality of life of Elderly People) originates from the consideration that aging involves many natural changes for old people, from a physical, cognitive and social point of view. To address negative consequences derived from aging, in recent years ICT has developed several forms of intervention, tools and applications specifically designed for this target. In addition, it has been demonstrated that leisure activities contribute to ameliorate quality of life, engaging senior citizens in a rehabilitative and preventive activities.

The Project’s main aim is to design an interactive tabletop platform able to integrate potentialities derived from both technology and leisure activities.

Another purpose of the Eldergames project is the monitoring of the elderly status, with information about his/her progression/regression in cognitive health. Data gathered during game sessions can be available to experts and gerontologists responsible for these activities, enabling them to assign tasks and trainings according to individual exigencies. Games on the Eldergames platform can be played both face-to-face and online; a cross-cultural communication system will allow players from different European Countries to easily communicate each other.

References:

Gamberini, L., Martino, F., Seraglia, B., Spagnolli, A., Fabregat, M., Ibanez, F., Alcaniz, M., Andrés J. M. (2009) The Eldergames Project. Cybertherapy & Rehabilitation Magazine, 1, 9-10. (PDF file)

Gamberini, L., Martino, F., Seraglia, B., Spagnolli, A., Fabregat, M., Ibanez, F., … & Andrés, J. M. (2009, May). Eldergames project: An innovative mixed reality table-top solution to preserve cognitive functions in elderly people. In 2009 2nd conference on human system interactions (pp. 164-169). IEEE.

Gamberini, L., Barresi, G., Maier, A., & Scarpetta, F. (2008). A game a day keeps the doctor away: A short review of computer games in mental healthcare. Journal of CyberTherapy and Rehabilitation, 1(2), 127-145.

Gamberini L., Alcaniz M., Barresi G., Fabregat M., Prontu L., Seraglia B. (2008). Playing for a Real Bonus: Videogames to Empower Elderly People. Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation, 1(1), 3748.

Gamberini, L., Alcaniz, M., Fabregat, M., Gonzales, A. L., Grant, J., Jensen, R., Prontu, L., Rontti , T., Seraglia. B., Spagnolli , A., Zimmerman, A. (2008). Videogame for empowering, training and monitoring elderly cognitive capabilities. The 6th International conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology. Pisa 4-6 june 2008.

Alcaniz , M., Gil Gomez, J.A., Martinelli, M., Varotto, D., Prontu, L., Seraglia, B., Gamberini, L. (2008). Design and development of a mixed reality solution for gerontechnology application. The 6th International conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology. Pisa 4-6 june 2008.

Gamberini, L., Alcaniz, M., Fabregat, M., Seraglia, B. Gil Gomez, , J.A., Montesa, J. (2007). Empowering the elderly by tuning ICT to their specificities. Bangkok 26-29 November 2007.

Gamberini, L., Raya, M. A., Barresi, G., Fabregat, M., Ibanez, F., & Prontu, L. (2006). Cognition, technology and games for the elderly: An introduction to ELDERGAMES Project. PsychNology J., 4(3), 285-308.