Residents were asked to either play Wii games of their choice or watch television with an undergraduate student. Kahlbaugh, Sperandio, Carlson, and Hauselt investigated the effects of playing the Wii on physical activity, loneliness, and mood with older adults in a residential facility. At the end of three months, participant’s levels of depression decreased and there was an increase in quality of life. conducted a pilot study with community living older adults with sub-syndromal depression. The Wii has been shown to be of benefit to older adults who are suffering from sub-syndromal depression. Marston found that the Wii console was easier for older adults to use when compared to other more traditional digital games. The cost effectiveness of commercial systems such as the Wii make this a feasible option for aged care facilities. The Wii is able to track spatial movements and incorporate this into game play. Ī popular game console that is used with older adults is the Nintendo Wii. The use of the computer games was also associated with improvements in a range of physical and cognitive outcomes, including self-esteem, confidence and balance. Across 12 studies it was found that interactive computer games were safe, and are an effective way to increase physical activity in older adults. A systematic review of the physical and cognitive effects of older adults playing physically interactive computer games was conducted. These games have been termed “exergames” as they can improve health, physical fitness, and coordination through the combination of physical activity and game play. Recently, games have been developed that also incorporate the use of the whole body. The term “serious gaming” has been used to identify games used for purposes such as education, training, advertising, research, and health promotion. Video games are not just used for fun and entertainment. Video games can provide older adults with a number of physical and psychological benefits. Increasing the levels of sense of belonging should be associated with an increase in the overall psychological health and wellbeing of residents. The above research highlights the importance of sense of belonging to the well-being of aged care residents and emphasises the need for interventions to enhance a sense of belonging within the aged care environment. Other research has indicated that residents feel that they do not fit in with those around them, despite aged care providers believing that the provision of a range of social activities facilitates a sense of belonging among residents. Lower levels of belonging is, in turn, associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Recent research has shown that sense of belonging partially mediates the relationship between place of residence and depression in older adults, with living in assisted living facilities being associated with lower levels of belonging. Low levels of sense of belonging have been implicated in the poor mental health of older adults who live in aged care facilities. Knight and Mellor have proposed that a combination of unfulfilling social activities and constant interactions with unfamiliar people can lead to the development of poor mental health in aged care residents. Older adults in residential care are at an increased risk of a number of mental health disorders even though residents are in an environment that has been designed to provide social support, alleviate boredom, and decrease loneliness along with providing medical support. Loneliness in older adults is strongly associated with higher levels of depression, even after controlling for variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, social support, and perceived stress. Harper has found that the aged care environment does not promote well-being or the formation of meaningful friendships even though residents are often with other people.
Older adults are also at risk of experiencing loneliness, with approximately 10% of older adults in care reporting frequent loneliness. Research indicates that 40.5% of residents in high level care and 25.4% of residents in low level care experience depression. Older adults in residential care are at an increased risk of a number of mental health disorders when compared to community samples. Due to the increasing time spent in old age and the high level of disability in older adults, there is an increasing need for residential aged care facilities, community care, and flexible care services. In 2050 it is estimated that there will be 2 billion older adults, of which 80% are expected to be living in developing countries.
The RetroGaming Network consists of subreddits dedicated to classic consoles and old school gaming in general.The World Health Organisation has estimated that the global population of older adults will grow by 223% by the year 2050.