Collie’s seniors got to try their hand at the latest gaming technologies last Thursday when the Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc.came to the Margaretta Wilson Centre.
The mini seniors expo showcased a variety of services on offer by the Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc. including their Seniors Exergaming WA Program and pole walking program.
Minister for Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering; Sport and Recreation Mick Murray attended the event and said it was important to expose seniors to these types of technology. “Technology is a great thing if it is used properly and sometimes older people are frightened by that sort of thing,” he said.
“As you see here today, it’s quite simple, if we can get people out to do the simple exersizes, it keeps the mind and body active.”
Mr Murray said these types of interactive technologies could be implemented into the health system to help people with movement and balance.
“It is about balance and all those sorts of things that keep seniors in the house longer, and keeps their quality of life,” he said.
“Not only rehabilitation but stopping things like falls and things like that because you learn to get your balance doing these types of exercises as well.”
Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc. Seniors Exergaming WA Program Manager Martin Yates showcased the technology to attendees, and explained how it could be used in such instances as people recovering from a stroke. “The games are designed to help with balance and coordination, as well as challenging the mind,” he said.
“Through our work with the National Stroke Foundation, a number of stroke survivors have expressed they have found the activity to be beneficial in their journey.”
Seniors Exergaming WA is a mix of low impact virtual games using the Xbox Kinect game console. There are a variety of interactive games such as; bowling, golf, darts, table tennis, all of which engage with different parts of the body.
Mr Yates said the games were also inter-generational, with grandparents often playing them with their grandchildren.
Members from the Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc, who travelled down from Perth, also displayed their pole walking program which is designed to help with posture and technique while engaging in low impact exercise.
For more information on any of the programs and services offered by the Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc. go to www.srcwa.asn.au, call 9492 9773 or email info@srcwa.asn.au.