Seniorgamer – seniors with dementia facing new technology and computergames

Abstract

Seniorgamer is a way to engage elderly people facing new technologies with positive activity and computer games. We experience that computer games are very popular amongst children and young people in the library. Seniorgamer has shown that they are equally engaging for people with dementia. They provide both physical and mental activity, and they are great fun. This is especially important to persons with dementia. The library’s expertise in combining culture, technology and health can also be useful for health care institutions and nursing homes.

Seniorgamer has established a model for how libraries can offer services to people with dementia and senior citizens in general. Based on computer games and modern technology the library’s role as a meeting place and a resource center for health care institutions has been given a new dimension. The average age in the population is increasing and more people get dementia. The main target group of the project has been people with dementia who are still living at home, their relatives and employees in health care institutions.

People with cognitive impairment have certain difficulties using some computer games and game consoles. Seniorgamer has tested different kinds of game consoles and games. We have identified which ones that work best, as well as the best design for the library premises and surroundings. The necessary requirements and criteria for success are described in a Seniorgamermanual.

Seniorgamer has been an interdisciplinary collaboration. It has shown how the library can collaborate with health care institutions, private companies, municipality and academia.

Seniorgamer is established both in libraries and in nursing homes. It has become very popular.