This document summarizes research conducted with older adults in Uganda to understand their cognitive abilities and experiences. Cognitive tests using computer games proved challenging for participants due to lack of computer experience and difficulty with the speed of the games. However, participants felt the games improved cognitive function and wanted to continue practicing. The research highlighted the need for more in-person planning meetings and sharing of budgets when conducting multi-disciplinary research with older adults. Next steps include further evaluating concepts of healthy aging, working with peer groups to advocate for health services, and documenting traditional healthy foods in Uganda.

1. Infectious Diseases Institute
College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda
Investing In The Future – Impacting Real Lives
Pictures of Ageing – Next Steps
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi

2. Use of high income setting research tools
Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST)
The MarkovSequence (Psychological Task) Game

3.  Lack of computer experience
 Hands too rough for tablets
 Participants struggled with the speed of the games
 Participants were worried when they couldn’t get the
answers correct
 Abstract nature of playing games for cognitive
assessment was a bit confusing
Challenges These games are so good for our
age except that there is a problem
with using the computers. If we
were to keep practicing, and get
used to using the computer and
playing the games, they are so
good that they wake up the mind.
The games free the brain.

4. Enjoyment of the proces
Obwongo buzukuse (my brain has
been re-awakened), I wish I could
repeat the games tomorrow”
a 67-year-old woman happily said.
Understanding these games helps us to understand
that those people that have grandchildren not to be
so tough on them. Because if you an older person are
told what to do something and fail to do it, so what
about the grandchild
If they continue
bringing us the games,
I will stop drinking

5. Learning from multi-disciplinary research
Lessons learnt
• Time to make protocol
• More planning meetings
• More in person meetings
• Meetings at all venues
• Sharing of budget

6. Demographics
(National and local
records, participant
recall, historical
recall)
Self perception
(Visual arts –
painting,
photography,
performing arts –
dance and drama,
spoken word –
poetry)
Phenotype
(Clinical, access to
health care, frailty,
cognition, co-
morbidity)
Projections of
short and long
term medical
and social
needs of older
people
Exploring the role of the
older population in society,
how they would like to
engage, ways to engage
with other demographic
groups, cultural and social
needs
Understanding
what healthy
ageing looks
like to older
people in
Uganda
Next Steps
1) To evaluate
the healthy
ageing
phenotype
concept
2) To work
with older
persons
peer
support
groups to
advocate for
health
services
3) Document
healthy
traditional
foods

7. Infectious Diseases Institute
College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda
Investing In The Future – Impacting Real Lives
Thank you