Srinakharinwirot University has established a collaboration with Makuejae Subdistrict Municipality and the Makuejae Community Occupational Group, a local senior citizens' group, to jointly promote quality of life and skill development for older adults in the area.

As part of this initiative, an innovation was presented—“Skill Snap! – Boost Your Brain, Sharpen Your Skills, Stay Smart in a Changing World”, a board game created from a synthesis of the skill development needs voiced by older adults themselves through participatory research and activities.

The Skill Snap! board game is an innovation developed through a user-centered design process that reflects the real needs of elderly participants. It aims to serve as a creative tool that supports learning and fosters the development of essential future skills tailored to the aging population in today’s fast-changing world.

This board game plays a crucial role in enhancing key life skills for older adults, including:

1) Communication and social interaction, through engaging gameplay with others that helps foster intergenerational bonds and reduce feelings of isolation;

2) Agility of mind, analysis, and observation, through a variety of mini-games designed to stimulate cognitive function and critical thinking;

3) Health literacy, helping seniors recognize risky behaviors, care for themselves, and understand the principles of health promotion;

4) Digital literacy, promoting safe and informed use of digital technology and online media;

5) Financial literacy, such as understanding numbers, planning expenditures, and identifying financial scams.

Thus, Skill Snap! is more than just a game—it is an educational tool that empowers seniors to actively develop future skills in an enjoyable, social, and confidence-building way, enhancing their quality of life in a rapidly evolving society.

A total of 42 older adults from the Makuejae community occupational group participated in the activity, becoming the first group to pilot the Skill Snap! board game. Participants learned through playful, interactive, and laughter-filled gameplay. The seniors showcased their abilities in thinking, analyzing, asking questions, and enthusiastically practicing communication and collaboration with others.

The session also facilitated meaningful conversations where participants exchanged life experiences and knowledge related to health, digital literacy, and financial management. Importantly, the seniors provided valuable feedback on various aspects of the game—including content, gameplay, and age-appropriateness—which will guide future refinements to better serve a broader elderly population.

The project also distributed the Skill Snap! board game to the Makuejae Community Occupational Group, Makuejae Subdistrict Municipality, the Lamphun Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security, and the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Lamphun Buddhist College to be used as a skill-building tool for older adults in the area.

1) Empowerment through Participation
Older adults were directly involved in shaping the innovation by expressing their needs and providing feedback. This participatory approach empowered them, making them active contributors rather than passive recipients.

2) Cognitive and Social Engagement
The game successfully stimulated thinking, observation, and analysis through mini-games while also encouraging interaction, teamwork, and communication—key elements for mental agility and social well-being.

3) Bridging Generations & Reducing Isolation
By promoting shared play, the board game helped build relationships between generations and reduced loneliness, one of the most pressing mental health issues in aging populations.

4) Functional Learning of Real-Life Skills
The game integrates knowledge about health, digital literacy, and financial awareness in a fun and accessible format. This helped participants build practical competencies that can protect them in daily life, such as avoiding scams, staying healthy, and using technology safely.

5) Sustainable Local Implementation
By distributing the board game to local organizations—including the municipality, community groups, and educational institutions—the project ensures long-term use and adaptation within community settings. This supports the continued skill development of older adults beyond the initial activity.

6) Foundation for Scaling
Feedback and observations from this pilot group provide a strong foundation for further development and nationwide scale-up, ensuring the innovation remains responsive and impactful across diverse senior communities.