Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays!

From everyone at AgeComfort.com, we would like to wish you a comfortable holiday season and a happy new year!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The Benefits of Nintendo Wii on Older Adults

If you had asked me ten years ago what I thought of adults playing video games, I would have responded with, "not in this lifetime." At that time, it was normal to see kids sitting in front of their televisions with handheld controllers maneuvering various characters through levels of varying degrees of difficulty.

In the fall of 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii. Unlike gaming systems before it, the Wii had a wireless controller that could detect movement, two notable features that, at the time, was not available on any other gaming console. Nintendo's intent with the Wii was to change that way we play video games, as well as introducing video games to a wider audience. 

While still a student, we often had discussions about who would benefit from the Wii, who was more likely to play, and whether or not the older generation would catch on. Fast forward a few years later. I find myself working at a retirement community that utilizes the gaming system with their residents. The first time I had to facilitate the program, I was curious to see how they would do and who exactly would be participating. 

260px-Wii-ConsoleWhen the program began, i noticed that there was a good mix of people who had played before and would never dare miss the program, and those who had never touched a video game, but were curious to see what it was all about. The game we played for the afternoon was Wii Bowling. Interestingly, all the participants were former bowlers at one point or another, either competitively or internationally. The game accurately mimicked the movements of a person bowling to the extent that the residents who had bowled before were able to easily and quickly learn the game and how to use the controller. 

Over time, the benefits of participating in the program were clear. Residents were becoming more social with one another, often calling each other in advance to ensure their friends were coming, confidence increased as their skill level improved, and their tolerance level for activities was increasing as they wanted to play for longer and longer. 

So why exactly has the Nintendo Wii been so successful in attracting new gamers in the adult population? Interactive video games render standard video games more accessible. Participants are able to customize characters that look like them, dress like them, and the can even name them. In addition, by allowing the controller to be wireless, the participant is able to freely move about without the fear of getting tangled in the equipment. The detection of movement in the controller is an undeniable benefit, allowing the participant to directly control the video game by having the game directly mirror their movements. The participant is able to immediately see the results and consequences of how their movement affects the game. 

Elizabeth H. Weybright et al's study stated that video games have been associated with improved attention and reaction time, improvements in knowledge acquisition and retention, and significant increases in positive emotions. Video games use skill selection and cumulative levels, paired with visual graphics to increase engagement, attention and concentration. The results for the participant finishing a level or reaching a milestone goal is the feeling of achievement (Weybright, Dattilo & Rusch, 2010).

The Nintendo Wii, specifically the bowling game, offers participants both physical and cognitive stimulation that could greatly benefit the older adult population. They have made the gaming system user-friendly by eliminating multiple buttons and simplifying the controller. Physically, the game requires the use of the upper extremities, lower extremities (if standing), core stability, balance, and both gross and find motor control. Cognitively, participants must be able to attend to a task, follow directions, coordinate hand/eye movement, and be able to remember sequences, as a sequence of buttons need to be pushed on the controller to start, continue, or play the game (Weybright et al., 2010). Gaming systems have changed quickly within the last few years, and unbeknownst to me, it was only a matter of time before technology became appealing to the masses, including the older generation. 

By: Anna Luu, Recreational Therapist Expert at AgeComfort.org Health Care Resource Centre

References

Weybright, E., Dattilo, J., & Rusch, F. (2010). Effects of an interactive video game (nintendo wii) on older women with mild cognitive impairment. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 64(4), 271-287.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

8 Winter Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors

Ah, winter. Blizzards, freezing temperatures, visiting the ER because you fell on ice. For kids, winter is an exciting time. They love playing in the snow and sliding around on the ice. For senior citizens, all that ice and snow means an increased chance of slipping and falling.
Here are eight things you can do to make winter a less perilous:

1. Check you footwear. 

Examine your shoes and boots. How's the traction? Is it time for a new pair? Better traction can help keep you more stable on icy surfaces. 

2. Make sure you are equipped with a shovel and salt. 

The reason you need a shovel and salt is so you don't have to walk on a slippery sidewalk. If you have to traverse through the snow and ice to get to your garage where the salt and shovel are kept, that defeats the purpose. 

3. Check the railings. 
8 Winter Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors
If you have railings leading up to your front door, check to see if they are sturdy. If you slipped, would they be able to support you? 

4. Carry a cell phone. 

Bring a cell phone when you leave the house. If you fall, it can sometimes be hard to get p. Carrying a cell phone whenever you go out can bring peace of mind. 

5. Slow down. 

Allow extra time if it's slippery out. It's when you hurry that you end up pushing the envelope of what your balance can handle. Also, keep in mind that being a little late is better than rushing and causing a fall. 

6. Ask for help. 

If you have to walk across an icy sidewalk or parking lot, try to find a steady are to lean on. Most people are happy to help an older person navigate a slippery walkway? You just have to ask. 

7. Have a plan. 

When you are going out, ask yourself, "If I slipped and fell here, what should I do? 

8. Strengthen your legs. 

Strong leg muscles can help you steady yourself if you slip. And if you do fall, they make it a lot easier to get back up. You should exercise your legs regularly to keep them strong. Try walking up and down your stairs repeatedly or do a set of ten squats out of a chair a couple times per week. 

These little things, when used together, can make the winter elements a little less daunting. 

You can also prevent falls with better balance. Senior fitness expert Mike Ross has developed a system of balance exercises for the elderly that can be done at home with no equipment. You can find the exercises in his new book, "The Balance Manual". 


Photo Credit: Let Ideas Compete

Monday, December 2, 2013

Let the Liver Live!

Let the Liver Live!Think of your liver. It sits in the upper right area of your abdomen, protected by your rib cage. This reddish brown organ weighs about 2 kilograms and it does everything from help digest the French fries you ate last night, helps to heal the cut on your baby finger and stores that extra bit of glucose you used up running for the GO Train. It's a multi-tasker for sure.

In both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver, ensures energy and blood flow smoothly thoroughly the body. It also regulates bile secretion, stores blood, and is connected with the tendons, nails, and eyes.
Emotions like anger, resentment, frustration, irritability, bitterness, "flying off the handle" are also connected to the liver. 

Both TCM and ayurveda attribute liver challenges to heat that is trapped in the liver, and they seek to clear and cool the organ through lifestyle changes and herbal treatments. 

Ayurveda views the liver as "hot" or "pittic" because the fiery, dynamic energy of pitta - one of the three doshas (along with vata and kapha) that regulate the physiological functions of the body - guides and supports these myriad functions of the liver. Too much fiery energy, can accumulate in the liver and lead to physical problems. Ayurveda describes symptoms caused by excess pitta that are very similar to what is called "liver fire" in TCM: headaches; flushed face; red burning eyes; acne; nosebleeds and outbursts of anger. Ayurveda adds inflammation, allergies, and symptoms of indigestion (like heartburn) to the list. 


Live for Your Liver


Overall, both ancient wisdom and modern science agree that how we live has a huge effect on our liver. So even though you can't avoid chemical contaminants completely, you can keep your liver healthy if you just take care of it by following these 5 suggestions: 

Eat Light

Eat good-quality food when you are hungry. Avoid over eating (more liver burden) and refined or heavily processed food. 

Move your Bowels

High-fiber diets help keep the bowels, liver, and blood clean by facilitating elimination. Drink water throughout the day. And if you drink coffee or tea, add a glass of water for each. 

Take a Break

Fast on fresh juices for a day - or even just a meal - every week or two. Take time to breathe deeply, relax, and meditate. 

Cut Down on the Chemicals

Minimize exposure to chemicals of all sorts - from food additives and cosmetics to caustic cleaning agents. Remember that the liver needs to break down every chemical entering the body either for use or excretion. 

Bitter is Better

Experiment with bitter salad greens or a liver tonic like Milk Thistle for six to eight weeks. Note any changes in body, energy, or mind. 

This is a very tasty recipe that has been used traditionally for liver health:

Beet the Carrot Casserole:

1 bunch beets
1 lb carrot
2 bunches scallions chopped 
3 cloves garlic minced
4-6 tbs olive oil or ghee (clarified butter) or butter
Braggs Liquid Aminos and black pepper to taste
Grated cheddar cheese or soy cheese to taste 

Scrub beets and carrots. Steam beets whole. When half done (ten to twenty minutes) add carrots. Cook until tender yet firm. Remove beet skins. (They slid off). Grate beets and carrots with coarse grinder. Loosely (so colours stay distinct) mix them together. Saute the scallions and garlic. Toss this mixture with the beets and carrots, Braggs and black pepper. Put in casserole dish. Cover with grated cheese and bake until cheese is golden. 

Podcast: Let the Liver Live!

Photo Credit: Walmart