Conversation with Yu-Ling Shao

The Erickson Foundation, a Baltimore-based private foundation established in 1998, conducts aging research and wellness programs for older adults.
The Foundation wants to develop legitimate aging research, says Yu-Ling Shao, the foundation’s coordinator of research and new ventures.
Shao has been with the Foundation since 1999. He studied biology and chemistry as an undergraduate student and earned a graduate degree in hospital administration before moving to his current role.
Shao conducts research into aging issues, studying bone strength, balance and osteoporosis among other issues. The Foundation wants to be on the frontlines of creating a wellness program for older adults, Shao says.
The Foundation often partners with researchers from universities to develop new programs. For example, the group paired with aging researchers at California State University-Fullerton to develop a program designed to reduce physical frailty and the number of falls among older adults. Known as FallProof!, the structured balance and mobility training program, has been taught to employees at Erickson Communities, operator of retirement homes across the country. Balance and mobility disorders resulting in falls among the aging population pose a serious public health problem in the United States, Shao says.
While separate entities, The Erickson Foundation often uses Erickson Retirement communities as a test bed for their aging research initiatives, Shao says.
Many of the senior citizens have also taken to using the fitness equipment offered at the retirement centers and participating in health programs.
The Foundation also wants to study video games and virtual reality equipment.
“Gaming has true potential to become a legitimate tool in the toolbox of the health-medical professional,” Shao says.
Nintendo's Wii game console has been widely used at Erickson communities but primarily for socialization and fun, not rehabilitation.
The residents at Sedgebrook, an Erickson community located near Chicago, got a Wii system in December 2006.
“They are truly the ones that started the rage here,” says Erickson spokeswoman Kate Newton Schmelyun. “Their enthusiasm for the game is completely infectious.” The 17 other communities received systems in mid-2007.
While each community has at least one gaming system for residents to play, several have more than one system, and have organized leagues and regular events around the Wii.
“The vast majority of our residents live completely independently, but we also have assisted living and skilled nursing neighborhoods at each campus, and those residents play Wii, too,” Schmelyun says.
Shao says the Wii has the potential to help stroke patients regain some muscle function.
“There is a beauty to the Wii and other types of systems for folks who really through injjury or diseases have lost the ability to move their muscles,” Shao says.
While the Wii simulates full body movement without the regular effort levels, ultimately the Nintendo game console was designed for entertainment value. The Wii doesn't offer cardiovascular component for those who have the ability to regularly perform the tasks, such as bowling or tennis, Shao says.
Other companies are developing products to work along with video games. For example, Cateye Game Bike is a stationary bicycle that can connect to the four main video game systems to provide an interactive virtual reality experience.
The Game Bike has heart rate control programs that allow the user to track the maximum heart rate.
“This type of gaming system may not be for everyone, but one developing argument is that for older adults who are able or willing to engage in light to moderate physical activity in a gaming context, efforts should be made to include it,” Shao says.