ElderGames develop IST-based games using advanced visualisation and interaction interfaces with high preventive, therapeutic value that will allow elderly people to enjoy new ways of leisure and entertainment while improving cognitive, functional and social skills.

Once the first version of the prototype assessment phase was finished, ElderGames’ research team prepared a document of conclusions that was the basis for creating the refined version of the ElderGames prototype.

The ideas for improvement were implemented and the most highly-valued aspects of the platform’s first version reinforced: its promotion of e-inclusion, its potential as a tool for improving social networks, and its usefulness as a supporting instrument for monitoring cognitive performance. During the project’s last few months, which we will talk about in this final Newsletter, the users and experts at the three European elderly centres participating in ElderGames have had the opportunity to enjoy the refined version of our prototype.

The table’s new look and the new online game functionalities have been very positively assessed. Furthermore, the intergenerational game sessions that have been set up with players of different ages have allowed new and interesting applications of the tool to be demonstrated. The preventative therapy experts involved in the project have had access to the latest version of the monitoring software, which is much more complete and detailed, what has caused much satisfaction among the research team.

Currently, the ElderGames Consortium is focussing on carrying out the last publicity and exploitation tasks. This effort, driven by the Consortium’s conviction about the product’s real possibilities on the market, has got underway with the first demonstration session organised in Alicante (Spain) by the company Brainstorm and the Spanish Toy Research Institute. Experts in attention to elderly people, local government officials, private companies from different industries and the media all had the chance to find out at first hand, and in the real context of use, what ElderGames consists of.

During the event, the participants provided new ideas of great interest for the Consortium and its future initiatives for commercial exploitation. New demonstration sessions will take place in the next months in other countries participating in the Consortium.