Baycrest

8 BrainMatters SPRING|SUMMER 2020 AGING WELL AT HOME – THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT! C anada's population has experienced a fundamental shift over the past few years, with older adults outnumbering children in the country by a large percentage. Roughly one in seven Canadians is over the age of 65; by 2030 this number will jump to nearly one in four. Of those seniors, the majority are opting to age at home and are looking for options to help them age well while staying put – and technology can help them achieve this. As our aging population continues to grow, more and more older adults are experiencing social isolation and loneliness and becoming vulnerable to accompanying health risks including cognitive decline, depression and heart disease. While there has been a boom in care- oriented apps, which help those who care for older adults better monitor their loved ones and their health concerns, there is an opportunity for technology to address the problem of reduced access to meaningful recreation among older adults. "...there is an urgent need to find new ways to help adults age well and at home, ensuring continued quality of life." In an effort to carry out our vision of creating a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment, Baycrest created ArtontheBrain, a web-based therapeutic intervention that uses visual art as a vehicle for mental stimulation and socialization. This app looks to fight the epidemic of limited recreation for older adults by using technology to provide a safe way for seniors to socialize, while benefitting from games and activities that promote memory and improve cognitive function. "With the number of older adults expected to more than double to 1.5 billion in 2050 worldwide, there is an urgent need to find new ways to help adults age well and at home, ensuring continued quality of life," says Aviva Altschuler, manager, Culture, Arts & Innovation at Baycrest and co-creator of ArtontheBrain. "This tool is unique because it is inclusive, it fosters self-agency among users and the interaction is driven by the capabilities of the user, not the technology." Scientifically validated by an international team of cognitive aging experts, the app uses a growing database of artwork provided by museum partners to engage users in a variety of activities derived from neuropsychological research. Through the categories of learn, play and mingle, these activities have been shown to improve wellness measures including psychological well-being, health-related quality of life and attention. How web-based applications can be a non-pharmacological intervention to promote brain health and help older adults age well in place.

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