Worldwide, there is about 24 million Alzheimer's patients, 6 million in Europe, affecting 10% of the population over 65 and nearly 50% of those over 85. This disease affects not only the individual but also their families and caregivers.Therapies based on "SERIOUS GAMES" to stimulate cognitive abilities of Persons with Alzheimer (PwA) are exhibiting good results when they are used with persons with Mild and Moderate Symptoms. However, use of "Serious Games" to improve the Quality of Life (QoL) of PwA is not fully developed, due to the lack of;• Selection and prioritization of "Serious Games" based on their positive influence on different cognitive symptoms • Availability of the most suitable "Serious Games" • Knowledge of caregivers about the use of "Serious Games" according to the individuals’ particular conditions• Training PwA in an adapted and accessible way, about the benefits of exploiting Serious Games as a tool for improving their QoL• Families giving support to PwA in using "Serious Games" in compliance with specific conditions of individual, so they can participate in such games for increasing social inclusion of PwAAD-GAMING is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of the collective around Persons with Mild and Moderate Alzheimer Disease (PwA, families and caregivers) about how to exploit Serious Games for increasing their Quality of Life, through an innovative training program.The project has the next specific objectives:• Create awareness and motivation about the importance and possibilities of "Serious Games" as a tool for improving QoL • To inform and make available a prioritized selection of "Serious Games"and their application to the specific needs of each persons.• To train persons, families and professionals about how to play "Serious Games" with several and specific therapeutic purposes.• To develop digital and technological skills, which allow PwA and their supports to properly exploit ICT-based “Serious Games”• To involve professionals and families in the training process in order to be able to support PwA• Increase the social inclusion of PwA, through the participation of families in "Serious Games" in domestic environments.Next partners from 6 countries will participate:• 4 entities working in the field of supporting PwA (AFAV, SRA, AS and GAADRD. These associations have own staff and also established cooperation with experts in their countries • 1 University Institute focused in Alzheimer, specialized in Gaming, with experience in developing training actions in this field,• 1 Technological Centre specialized in development of ICT solutions adapted to collectives with special needsThe next results will be obtained;• Co-Created Methodological Guide will be developed, with the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competences of persons with Alzheimer and their supports for increasing their Quality of Life through the exploitation of “Serious Games”.• Training Materials addressed to persons with Alzheimer, families and professionals for facilitating the exploitation of “Serious Games”.• Designed Experiential Training Activities addressed to persons with Alzheimer, families and professionals for facilitating the exploitation of “Serious Games”.• Development of an e-Training Platform, including awareness, training contents and tailored and adapted ICT-Games solutions for supporting the implementation of Training Materials and Designed Experiential Training Activities.• Creation of 5 AD-GAMING UNITS in all the countries of the Consortium in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime.• Development of Dissemination Actions addressed to the European collective related to persons with Alzheimer.VALIDATION ACTIONS will be organized on each country, based on the practical implementation of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Activities and e-Training Platform, involving about 40 PwA and families and 5 caregivers. Evaluation and analysis will be done. Project Activities will be completed with Management and Implementation actions IMPACT during the project lifetime:AD-GAMING will benefit a number of persons during the project lifetime:• 200 PwA and their families will be trained through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform. • 25 professionals will be trained, through their participation in the validation actions of Training Materials, Designed Experiential Training Activities and e-Training Platform• 1800 PwA, families and professionals will be aware, through the dissemination actions to be carried on through the project website, newsletters, leaflets, etc…
Worldwide, there are around 24 million people living with dementia with 6 million residing in Europe. The condition affects 10% of the population over 65 and nearly 50% of those over 85, and can impact not only on the individual but also their family and caregivers. The cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease include, difficulties with memory, communication, orientation, and attention. Research has suggested that cognitively stimulating activities may help to reduce the rate of functional decline and can support enhanced Quality of Life, social inclusion and well-being in people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Consequently, both traditional and ‘Serious Games’ have been used for this intention. ‘Serious Games’ are games that have been designed for a purpose other than pure entertainment. Preliminary research has highlighted that ‘Serious Games’ used to stimulate cognitive abilities in people with Alzheimer’s may have potential benefits, particularly for those with mild and moderate symptoms. Therefore, the AD-GAMING project was established to promote these benefits and to overcome the barriers in their uptake, amongst people impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease. Its primary objective is to increase the competences (attitudes, skills and knowledge) of those people affected by mild and moderate Alzheimer’s Disease (the individual, their family and caregivers) as well as develop a training program to facilitate the use of ‘Serious Games’ amongst this population. The project’s secondary objectives include: Create awareness of the importance and possibilities of ‘Serious Games’ as a tool for improving quality of life, social inclusion and well-being in people with Alzheimer’s. Inform those affected by Alzheimer’s Disease about the potential benefits of ‘Serious Games’ and disseminate a selection of these games amongst people with the condition. Train volunteers, caregivers, families and professionals on how to engage people with Alzheimer’s Disease through Serious Games and develop their digital and technological skills, to enable them to properly exploit ICT-based activities. Involve people with Alzheimer’s Disease, professionals and caregivers in developing these training materials and processes. AD-GAMING Project is being developed by a consortium of different entities from 5 countries (Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Greece and the United Kingdom) and complementary backgrounds (user associations, university and technological centres). These partners are strongly committed to increasing the Quality of Life, well-being and social inclusion of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease.