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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2007

Gaming Granny Shares Her Secrets- Not Game Codes
Mantua Resident Discusses Her Love of Video Games on Statewide TV Show

COLUMBUS - Barbara St. Hilaire, of Mantua, better known as Old Grandma Hardcore shared her love of video games and why seniors should be picking up their grandchildren's game controllers with Merle Grace Kearns, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging, in the latest installment of the department's television show, "Finer With Age."

"Video games are something that our generation noticed and dismissed them to the younger ones. In reality they can help seniors maintain a sharp and active mind," said Director Kearns, also the host of the show. "Senior gamers aren't as rare as one might think. A reported 19 percent of the people playing video games are over the age of 50."

The 70 year old grandmother of 13 has been playing video games since 1975 and recently was named "Nintendo's Coolest Grandparent of the Year." She defeated other grandparents in a competition of Brain Age, a brain-training title for Nintendo DS that is especially popular among baby boomers and seniors. Gaming is becoming even more popular and encouraged among seniors as research shows that keeping your brain active and engaged increases its vitality and builds reserves of brain cells and connections.

"Finer With Age" is produced monthly by the Ohio Department of Aging and taped at Ohio Government Television in Columbus. The latest episode also includes a discussion with Salli Bollin and Lynn Ritter, Ph.D., the executive director and education coordinator, respectively, of the Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. It begins airing in February on participating cable access and public broadcasting stations throughout the state. Check your local listings for air times. For more information on the program, visit www.finerwithage.com.

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.