Short presentation on how Gamification could be used to lower Depression among the elderly and as a side result bring grandchildren and grandparents closer together.

1. Gamification against depression among
the elderly

2. National University Health System (NUHS)
Raises red flag on old age depression.
Sunday Times, Singapore, 6th May 2012
NUS Associate Professor Kua Ee Heok calls
for elderly "to remain engaged with
community."
In a recent research from NUHS an average of
18% of the elderly (mid seventies and above)
showed signs of depression. Significantly 9 out
of 10 of the participants in the research were
living with family.
Based on concurrent research on depression
and suicide rates by Associate Professor Kua
Ee Heok:"the big concern is that increased
depression among elderly could result in a
spike of suicides among a growing polulation of
elderly in Singapore."
Prof. Kua continues to say that:" The key is to
talk to people - Family, friends, colleagues or
churchmates - and remain engaged."
http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/news/1205/PDF/LONELY-st-6may-p1&p6.pdf

3. Depression among the elderly is a global issue.
• Suicide ranked #11 as one of the top public health
issues in the United States in 2011. From all these
deaths, the age group that has the highest suicide
death rate is among adults over 65 years old.
•
http://karolinacr.hubpages.com/hub/Major-Public-Health-Issue-Suicide-among-seniorcitizens"
• '25% elderly population in India depressed'
•
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-12/india/31052085_1_populationgeriatric-clinics-urban-areas
• Forty percent, or 74 million Chinese Citizens over
60, “display higher levels of depressive
symptoms,”
•
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-31/china-s-growing-ranks-of-elderly-besetby-depression-study-says.html

4. Science suggests solutions
• "Video games may help elderly
people stay happy"
•
http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/wms-allaire-social-2013/
• “Internet use reduces the
probability of a depression
categorization for older adults
by about 20%–28%
•
http://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e39/
• Strong grandparent-grandchild
relationships reduce depression
for both."Grandparents who experienced the
sharpest increases in depressive symptoms over
time received tangible support, but did not give it,"
•
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-08/asasgg080613.php"

5. Using gamification to create
grandparent - grandchild engagement
online.

6. "Technological advancement has passed me by"
The capability issue:
Perceived ability to learn is too low.

7. Levels of Fun (Grandchildren)
Playing with
Classmates
Social Media
Talking to
Grandparents

8. SOLUTION 1:
Promote simplified social
media onboarding, with initially
simplified functionalities,
adding more options as they
master each level.

9. SOLUTION 2:
School project!
Create a social media
group page for all the
grandparents connected
to the children in a class
room.
Earn badges for:
• Oldest picture posted
• Most "liked" story of old
• Giving presentation about
historic event with
grandparent
• Visiting historic sights with
grand parent
• Etc

10. SOLUTION 3:
Chores and rewards!
Grandparents to set
chores using online tools
like myjobchart.com with
redeemable points.
Chores can also be replaced
by quests and challenges:
• Sets of chores with story
lines.
• Co-working on charity/
community project

11. SOLUTION 4:
Happiness meter (with
reminders) to measure the
last time pictures and status
updates were shared with
grandparents.

12. SOLUTION 5:
Know your roots school project
to create an online overview of
family tree and connecting it to
social media.
• Grandparents will be a great
asset to collect old family
members and names.
• Whole family has opportunity
to expand social network with
extended family members.
• Great opportunity to surprise
and delight everyone involved.