NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

AI brain games co-designed with kaumātua, gaming technology to prevent online scamming and Te Reo Māori fluent personalised virtual companions are some of the grant recipients of the inaugural Respectful Ageing Innovation Challenge.

The Selwyn Foundation launched the challenge in October 2023. More than 100 applications were made with twelve winners selected who will share almost $800,000 in funding.

One of the successful applicants is Elli Cares, an age-in-place advanced monitoring app for older people with impaired cognitive function to enhance safety and independence.

Gamefroot will use the funding to develop cognitive games using gaming technology to empower older people against online scamming and Dev Academy Aotearoa will develop an Artificial Intelligence training programme for people working with seniors.

JIX attracted funding for Te Reo Māori fluent empathic personalised virtual companions for older people to alleviate social isolation and loneliness and JKV Kitcal for age-in-place accessible digital technology with built-in wireless capability to enable social connection and wellbeing for seniors.

Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust is co-designing AI brain games with kaumātua to support ongoing cognitive functioning and the Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank provides training for older Pacific people to enhance their digital literacy.

Read this full article, HERE