A DIGITAL PUZZLE GAME FOR THE ELDERLY

Several works in the literature show the importance that serious digital games have in maintaining the cognitive levels in the elderly population. We describe the conception and user experience of a digital puzzle game targeting the senior population, either institutionalized, being taken care at home, or living autonomously. It is well known that puzzle solving is a highly intensive mental process which strengthens mental fitness and slows the natural degradation process that comes with ageing. We focused not only to create an engaging experience but also, supported by some scientific evidence, implement some features to train their mental abilities which are known to degrade over time; in an attempt to slow or even revert such degradation process. The game was used in 4 different elderly care centres, by more than 40 selected seniors with different profiles, in order to evaluate and benchmark the fulfilment of the work aims.