Aged care provider Allity is trialling arcade-style dance video games in four of its aged care homes in NSW and Victoria to try to improve balance and brain function.
The aim of the exercise program is to reduce the risk of residents falling by up to 50 per cent. The most popular games among residents are La Cucaracha, which involves squashing cockroaches, and Toad Runner, where residents use their feet to guide a frog across the river while avoiding obstacles.
The program, smart±step, has been designed by Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), and is being piloted by the four Allity homes (Greenwood Aged Care resident Norma pictured playing smart+step) ahead of a broader rollout that could benefit up to 3,000 residents in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and SA early next year.
Falls and dementia are among the biggest health threats to older Australians, particularly for those living in residential aged care homes. The COVID pandemic has heightened these risks for anyone who has spent extended periods in isolation and where homes are under pressure to provide daily exercise programs safely.
smart±step, uses a wireless dance mat and adapted versions of popular video games to ‘step train’ the brain for mobility, balance and cognitive function, making it particularly useful for the 400,000 Australians living with dementia.
“Our trials show people find the games extremely enjoyable. The competitive nature of the games means that we are confident that smart±step participants will happily use the program to obtain the best possible health benefit,” said Dr Daina Sturnieks, NeuRA Senior Research Scientist.
“To make this type of exercise more enjoyable and motivating, we have taken the fun elements of a game and converted them into a program that will improve someone’s balance and thinking skills.”
What a fantastic project!
