Addressing the ‘ABCs’ of dementia
The Virginian, a senior-living community in Fairfax, Va., with just over 200 residents, recently unveiled Obie for Seniors, an interactive gaming system by EyeClick, to help memory-care residents.
Obie for Seniors uses “Nana” Technology, a microchip-based technology to “improve quality of life for older adults,” according to a press release. The technology was developed for use in early childhood education and is now being adopted in the U.S. for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia after success in Europe.
The gaming system projects itself onto any surface— tabletops, floors and walls. The device’s sensors are used to identify movements like touching and tapping. It offers a variety of games like “Pop all the floating bubbles” with different modes and levels to support people’s movement, cognition and social interaction.
“Approximately a half dozen memory-care residents at various stages of dementia have actively participated in the gaming system. To date they have been actively engaged and enjoying, as they try a variety of different games,” Andrew Carle, executive director at The Virginian, said in an email. “The largest value we’ve seen so far is the ability of Obie to address what I call the ‘ABCs’ of dementia—apathy, boredom and communication. The games are engaging, fun and don’t require the need to communicate complicated verbal or written instructions for residents to instantly use.”
The Virginian is among the first senior-living communities in the country to utilize this technology. Additionally, the gaming system installation is part of The Virginian’s $56.5 million renovation, which will include a state-of-the-art expanded memory-care program.
“This really goes to the heart of our vision for creating a national model ‘high touch, high tech’ senior-living community,” said Carle, who coined the term “Nana” Technology.