156 One Toy, Many Games: Whiztoys for Exercise Enablement and Cognitive Enhancement

Abstract

Abstract Non-pharmacological intervention has been is an important approach for dementia care. Many studies showed that physical activity (PA) programs for older adults could integrate challenging cognitive activities (CA) to improve cognitive health. Combined PA + CA programs should be promoted as a modality for preventing as well as treating cognitive decline in older adults. “Serious games” use technology to combine multimedia, entertainment, and experience, to design “games that do not have entertainment, enjoyment, or fun as their primary purpose.” Recommendations for designing serious games for people with dementia include (1) Interventions should be supervised to support people with dementia to help them understand the instructions and the technology of the games; (2) Serious games should be well adapted to the target population and their individual impairments, capacities, and interests; (3) Interventions should be played in groups in order to guarantee enjoyment and commitment to the games and to foster social behavior and interaction. Under these principles, the Gerontechnology Research Center of Yuan Ze University has been developing a serious game platform “WhizToys”. WhizToys is in the form of puzzle floor mats, and can be freely assembled into different shapes. The older adults play games by stepping on the floor mats. Integrating with mobile phone Apps showing various games, such as matching game, chasing game, piano game etc., WhizToys combines physical exercise with cognitive training and multi-sensory stimulation. Standard tests such as “timed up and go (TUG)” are converted into games. The results of the games can be transmitted and recorded in the cloud for future reference. Caregivers can choose suitable games or adjust difficulty levels of the games from the App, according to the needs, experience and ability of the older adults. The user experience of WhizToys will also be shared in the presentation.