An app to maintain/improve the senior citizen’s cognitive abilities

Abstract

As cognitive decline becomes an increasing concern among senior citizens, innovative solutions are essential to promote mental agility and lifelong learning. WisdomTales is a mobile game designed to enhance cognitive abilities in older adults by integrating mathematical learning with engaging storytelling and interactive gameplay. Inspired by the concept of magic numbers, the game presents its story in a visual novel style, offering a structured yet immersive environment where users can learn quick multiplication and reinforce their understanding through end-of-chapter challenges. The app features a teachable agent chatbot, allowing users to instruct the agent—reinforcing their own learning through the learning-by-teaching paradigm—while receiving immediate and personalized feedback. A Math Battle multiplayer mode, currently in development, aims to further boost motivation through social interaction and friendly competition. A pilot user study demonstrated encouraging results, with participants reporting high engagement and cognitive stimulation. The single-player storyline and teachable agent were especially well-received, cited as effective and enjoyable. Although the multiplayer mode was not yet available, participants expressed strong interest in using it when implemented. Planned enhancements include improved accessibility features, deeper integration of cultural and emotional personalization through AI-generated characters and expanded user testing with senior citizens using think-aloud protocols and co-design methods. By blending education with entertainment, WisdomTales aspires to be an inclusive and engaging platform that empowers seniors to maintain cognitive health, build confidence, and foster meaningful social and intergenerational interactions.