NID toys to help elderly in Germany

NEW DELHI: It's play time for the elderly. Toys have been designed for them to fight memory loss and improve motor coordination by the faculty of National Institute of Design (NID) and these have found acceptance in Germany.
"It was found that there's an increase in motor coordination problems and gradual memory loss among the elderly. The toys have been specifically designed keeping these problems in mind, especially hand and eye co-ordination," says NID coordinator for toy design and development Gayatri Menon.
"The toys have been selected by UNESCO and Bethel Rehabilitation Centre in Germany as part of activities for the elderly.The toys, named Ring Play and Magic Memocubes, have been made from wood and are therefore non-toxic in nature. They are useful during hand exercises in physiotherapy," adds Menon.
She says that for the elderly, playing with toys is a form of mixing therapy with fun. "I conceived the design last year while participating in a workshop that was organised by Bethel Rehabilitation Centre, Unesco and a Dutch-based NGO for people with special needs," Menon says, adding that they experimented with 40 toys for the elderly. Finally, they selected two toys that motivate the user to improve his or her abilities while playing.
These toys also involve group play. Magic memocubes consist of various cubes with colours and patterns. The game is simple. First, take a look at the pattern placed and then rearrange the cubes accordingly. This improves memory.
Ring Play consists of 5 to 12 rings made of wood. They have to be passed from one person to another using a wooden play stick without losing any of the rings. This helps in hand movements.
"We are offering the design to Indian toy manufacturers as well as some NGOs that run old age centres here," Menon adds. These are also helpful for children having problems with motor coordination.