Application of Game Therapy in the Health of Future Elderly: An Experience Design Perspective

Abstract

Gameplay maintains a deep part of human nature, and there is no difference between young people and elderly group. With the unprecedent advance of Cloud Computing, The Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and sensing technology, different forms of digital games could benefit older adults in a variety of fields, including physical exercise, rehabilitation drill, entertainment, social interaction, emotional adjustment, knowledge and skills acquisition, etc. This study starts from the development trend and future market prospects of digital game for the elderly, analyzes the attributes and characteristics of older adults which may influence the game therapy developing process. Then, taking the characteristics analysis result into consideration, the essay divides the types of game therapy into four types, physical game therapy, psychological game therapy, cognitive game therapy and comprehensive game therapy. Furthermore, all the typical functions of these game therapy types have been clarified from the perspective of the elderly needs. What’s more, five levels hierarchy of how to construct elderly game therapy experience has been proposed, including strategy level, scope level, structure level, skeleton level and surface level. Last but not least, the paper has put forward six principles which should be followed during the development process of game therapy for older adults. This research provides new insights and creative solutions for the elderly healthcare industry, and explores how to use game therapy to improve their quality of life and wellbeing in old stage. It has deep impacts both for the game industry and pension industry.