MALAYSIA: Seniors Urged To Take Up Video Games

PENANG, Malaysia (The Star), October 21, 2007: Kids, go do your homework and hand over those PlayStation controls to your grandparents. Playing such games helps keep the minds of senior citizens sharp and their hands active, reducing their risk of ending up with Alzheimer's Disease, said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon. "Senior citizens should engage in mental activities. A good way is to use the PS3 (PlayStation3) or play other computer or video games as it would help to keep them alert and maintain the dexterity of their hands. "They can also play bridge and mahjong as long as they are not gambling illegally," he told reporters after opening a public forum themed The Realities of Life with Dementia organised by the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia Penang AD Support Group at the Caring Society Complex here Sunday. In his speech, Lee said it was important to disseminate information on the disease, which is associated with ageing, to the public as early as possible so that they would be prepared to face such situations. "Patients would have a chance to plan together with their families and decide how they want to be cared for. "Awareness about the disease also helps people to be more alert to the signs, and they can seek early treatment and help," he said. By Priscilla Dielenberg Copyright © 1995-2007 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd