Does Digital Gaming Enable Healthy Aging for Community-Dwelling People With Dementia?

This article critically explores the benefits of commercial digital gaming technology for healthy aging of people with dementia. Research with community-dwelling people with dementia has highlighted the need for enhanced access to nonpharmacological interventions to support social engagement. Commercially available technologies offer a means to engage people with dementia. This article expands on this body of knowledge by assessing the benefits of digital gaming on healthy aging for community-dwelling people with dementia who have participated in a series of Tech Clubs using Apple iPads, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. Findings from this study demonstrates that use of digital gaming technologies promotes lifelong learning; optimization of mental, physical, and social stimulation; and independence, all of which promote the agenda of healthy aging

Technology, fun and games

With the advancement in technology, researchers are beginning to explore various avenues where technology can be used to support and improve the well-being of people with dementia by keeping them physically, socially and mentally active. Commercial ‘off-the-shelf’ technology appears to be a viable option as it is cheaper than more dementia-specific technology and more readily available. Preliminary research has also shown it can be effective at improving the lives of people with dementia through increased engagement, mental stimulation and social interaction (SCIE 2012, Upton 2011, Leahey & Singleton 2011, Leng et al 2013). However, further research is required to understand how this technology can be used with people with dementia within group settings. The aim of this article is to report on two technology groups commissioned by Bournemouth Borough Council and discuss our observations of using commercial technology with people with dementia within the community and an assisted living care setting

Learning from the lifecycle:The capabilities and limitations of current product lifecycle practice and systems

Design teams within the High Value Low Volume (HVLV) industry are facing ever-increasing challenges in developing new products. This has been largely due to the paradigm shift towards Product Service Systems, the growing importance of demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility and stricter environmental legislation. With the variant nature of the design process within the HVLV industry and the longevity of the product life-cycles, it is recognised that learning from previous products is essential for new product innovation and development. The ability to do this depends upon the company’s product lifecycle practice and systems, and its inherent capability/limitations. To explore these issues, this paper maps typical data and information flow and the Information Systems involved, onto a generalised product lifecycle for HVLV. The map is generated from an extensive literature review and is used to critically appraise and reflect upon current product data lifecycle practice. In particular, its capability to provide design teams in the HVLV industries with sufficient data and information throughout the lifecycle phases of existing products to inform variant product design is considered