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A workshop on 23rd January 2007 successfully engaged service
users and carers to scope the ElderGames proposals. A presentation
of the types of games, which may be available through the project,
was delivered and an initial assessment was completed. Read about
how this event was organised, who was involved and the
outcomes.
The day was organised into two sessions, a facilitator presented
the overview for the project using power point, during which active
participation was encouraged.
Kent County Council staff including
occupational
therapists and social workers, nurses, private and voluntary
sector providers, attended the morning of the event.
During this session the project aims and objectives were
outlined and attendees were asked questions designed to
explore:
- assessment
- quality of life, through leisure and the areas of cognitive
ability which may enable people to benefit from ElderGames
- attention
- perception
- memory
- function
- time-space orientation
- language
- imagination, and
- creativity and calculations.
Service users and carers attended the afternoon session and the
overall aims and objectives were outlined. This session spent more
time exploring what games people would be interested in. A number
of types of games were discussed at length some were familiar to
the attendees, others were based on games more familiar to European
partners. There was a lot of fun trying to explain the games, and
although some attendees readily admitted they prefer their gardens
to any type of technology, all were really engaged in the
event.
Event Outcomes
Independence
The fundamental agreed
outcome is to work with older people to promote independence.
ElderGames is intended to offer new alternatives to help maintain
independence by improving both physical and psychological
conditions and through the creation of a stimulating
environment.
Health
The promotion of a healthy
lifestyle, encouraging good physical and mental wellbeing was felt
to be important, although the groups recognised this should be
balanced with periods of rest. It is recognised that ElderGames
will have limitations in the promotion of physical activity, but
there is a high potential for ElderGames in the promotion of fine
psychomotor skills.
Social Support
The groups recognised that as people grow older they may begin to
lose their link with the social nucleus of their work, they may
face the loss of loved ones or the independence of their children.
ElderGames offers the opportunity to enhance social relationships
and communication, for this reason it is also necessary for
ElderGames to allow shared use by different age groups and promote
intergenerational leisure.
A further intention of ElderGames will be to help the user to
learn to use time in the most positive way. ElderGames should
achieve education through leisure. Furthermore it is essential to
create fun and entertainment and not subordinate this aspect to the
measurement of the effects of cognitive health. Leisure is good in
and of itself and, in the case of older people, it is one of the
essential variables for a satisfactory
life. |