Council on Aging Answers 2015 - 55

COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

hEALThCARE

Brain Games and Older Adults
n Peter G. Lancellotti
Since the advent of the 21st century, there is growing
evidence that playing brain games has a healthy
advantage for cognition. Like exercising any other part
of our body, exercising the brain keeps us mentally
active and sharp. When video and computer games
were still in their infancy, they were thought to be for
the young. We are now finding they are for everybody,
especially older adults. The baby boomer generation is
embracing them more widely than expected. As social
networks like Facebook become geared toward this
cohort, statistics are showing an increased interest in
gaming. How many times do you get a request from a
friend on Facebook to join in a game?
A number of companies are currently developing
games for studying neuroplasticity, which refers to
changes in synapses and neural pathways of the brain.
Unlike early studies of the brain which held the position
that it was a physiologically static organ, we are finding
that the brain is ever changing because of changes in
behavior and environment. There are a wide variety
of games being developed for specific purposes such as
rehabilitative therapy. One company has developed a
non-violent game (also, now an app) which challenges
mental faculties to help those with mild traumatic brain
injury, such as veterans returning from war and athletes.
This company is having great success in retraining the
brain in areas of memory, executive function, attention,
and sensorimotor-linked abilities.
Another game in development is being designed to
specifically meet the need of older adults in the realm
of falls prevention. It's an exercise game used in tandem
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with a Kinect device and a television, enabling the
gamer to have fun exercising and gain more control
over the brain's equilibrium. The Stroke Foundation has
created apps for the iPad to help stroke victims. While
strokes can be permanently debilitating, there is hope
using apps can help with verbal and comprehension
rehabilitation.
So what is the future of brain games and their impact
on older adults?
Since 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services has an objective to deal with multiple
chronic conditions involving person-centered care
models that improve health outcomes and quality
of life while maintaining or decreasing net costs. By
implementing evidence-based models and designing
engaging games, the CDA (Center for Digital Aging)
at the USC School of Gerontology is advocating a new
paradigm shift in self-care technology. The CDA is
opening up a lab with the specific purpose of engaging
and supporting older adults to utilize technology for
brain fitness.
There is evidence to support the correlation between
body health and brain health through the reduction of
risk factors affecting health and cognition. Most health
initiatives today are focusing on preventative measures.
The use of brain games is a perfect example of cognitive
stimulation. With moderate eating habits, a modicum
of physical exercise coupled with brain games, the body
and mind may naturally become healthier.
Peter Lancellotti is a Project Specialist in
Gerontechnology at the CDA. To volunteer and play the
games, contact the CDA at 213-821-5390.
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