The field of serious games for people with dementia (PwD) is rapidly evolving, providing an innovative approach to maintaining cognitive functionality and supporting daily activities. A recent interdisciplinary study has shed light on the potential of these games to improve the quality of life for individuals with moderate and advanced dementia. This blog post explores the key findings from this research and offers insights for practitioners looking to implement or further investigate these promising interventions.
The Promise of Serious Games
Serious games are designed with a purpose beyond entertainment, often focusing on education or skill development. For PwD, these games offer a low-cost intervention that requires minimal professional supervision and can be played with assistance from caregivers. The goal is to maintain cognitive abilities and enhance self-efficacy in daily activities, thereby enabling PwD to remain at home longer.
Key Findings from the Research
The study involved developing a theory-driven game with input from a multidisciplinary team familiar with aging, dementia, and gaming theory. The game was tested with 24 PwD and 14 healthy older adults over 10 weeks. Key findings include:
- Engagement: PwD found the game engaging and enjoyable, which is crucial for sustained participation.
- Cognitive Improvement: Both PwD and healthy adults showed improved speed in task completion with practice, indicating learning occurred at a similar rate.
- Self-Efficacy: PwD reported increased self-efficacy, feeling more confident in their abilities after playing the game.
Implementing Serious Games in Practice
For practitioners looking to incorporate serious games into their care strategies for PwD, consider the following steps:
- Select Appropriate Games: Choose games designed specifically for dementia care that focus on enhancing cognitive skills and daily functionality.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure that the gaming environment is comfortable and free of distractions to maximize engagement.
- Involve Caregivers: Train caregivers to assist PwD during gameplay, providing encouragement and support as needed.
- Monitor Progress: Track improvements in cognitive function and self-efficacy to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
The Need for Further Research
The promising results from this pilot study highlight the potential of serious games in dementia care. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings on a larger scale and explore additional benefits. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in or initiate studies that examine long-term effects and the transferability of skills learned through gaming to real-life scenarios.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Designing Serious Computer Games for People With Moderate and Advanced Dementia: Interdisciplinary Theory-Driven Pilot Study.
