Pikachu Patrol: How a 75‑Year‑Old Nurse Turns the Streets of Badalona into Her Personal Game Board
From Quiet Hospital Halls to Vibrant City Streets
Joanna Perez Osuna swapped her nursing scrubs for a phone and a curious spark. After retiring from a life in Spanish hospitals, she felt a dull void—like a book with no pages. Then a little app titled Pokemon Go breathed new life into her days.
Why the Doctor’s Dozen of Alarms? The Digital Dragons That Keep Her Moving
Every morning, Joanna takes to the cobblestone lanes of Badalona, a sleepy town north of Barcelona, with a mission: catch fish‑mouthed Pikachus, shade‑clad Weedles, and the groovy Smeargles that drop like confetti. The app nudges her to walk, to explore hidden corners, to chase digital ghosts that appear just out of the phone’s lens.
Six Hours, Seven Miles, One Mission
It’s not a trick—she walks 12–15 km a day (that’s about 7–9 miles)—all for the simple thrill of catching a virtual Pokémon. By matching these ghostly creatures to the city’s streets, Joanna discovers neighbourhoods she’d never visited in her 42 years of nursing. The game is a social catalyst, letting her meet residents, their stories, and their own small monsters.
Life’s Second Act: A Healthy Longevity Revolution
As the World Health Organization forecasts that a staggering 2 billion people will be 60 or older by 2050, governments are scrambling to keep seniors fit and mentally sharp. Badalona, one of 80 European communities in the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, is turning the challenge into a playground for the elderly.
From Dementia to Digital Dreams
The initiative’s goal? Add two healthy years to the average EU lifespan (currently 64). Anca Paduraru, the EU public‑health spokesperson, urges countries to see ageing not as a burden but as a chance to “innovate.” Technology, she says, is the new key to unlocking healthier, happier afternoons for seniors.
Distracting from Isolation: Gamified Connections
When loneliness bites, Pokemon Go offers a dodge—by drawing people out of their homes, into the sunshine, into conversations about the game’s latest poké‑updates.
“Playing encourages face‑to‑face interaction,” notes Carlos Sanchez, a social worker. “It’s perfect for those who lack regular human contact—no kids to pick up from school, no grandkids to chatter with.”
Other Tech Tools on the Block
Robotic pets such as the Paro seal can respond to touch and words, while Abeye glasses detect falls and call for help. AI companions like ElliQ chat with elders, keeping loneliness at bay.
At a Glance: Impact in Badalona
- Over 300 residents aged 65+ have used or will use Pokemon Go.
- Other digital therapies such as MasterMind (CBT for depression) and Do Change (lifestyle monitoring for cardiac health) are already in beta.
Funding Dilemmas: Pushing Tech Through a Bureaucratic Maze
Badalona, which owns its public health system—a rarity—struggles to roll out digital tools on a grander scale due to budgetary constraints. “We have tried many things, but scaling them up is tough,” says Jordi Piera Jimenez of Badalona Care Services.
He notes the market’s growing safety net: as tech costs tumble, the adoption of digital devices for seniors breaks through. Yet there’s still a shift to be made in the public’s mindset.
Within the Community: From Agent of Care to Self‑Care
“We’re not used to taking care of ourselves,” Piera remarks. “We rely on doctors and nurses. It’s a cultural shift.” And at the heart of it is Joanna—who, once the nurse’s headset was replaced by a phone, finds that staying mentally engaged is still vital.
“I love keeping my brain active,” she says. “Without my nursing job, I need something to occupy that space. It’s both physical and psychological.”
Future Footsteps: From Pikachu to Robotics
In the coming years, Joanna could be strolling through Badalona with a robotic dog or attending a virtual therapy session on a headset — but for now, her favorite treasure remains a brightly colored Pikachu, invisible until the phone camera picks it up.
In sum, Pokemon Go has become more than a novelty; it’s a lifeline for seniors seeking purpose, movement, and human connection in a rapidly aging world. And all it takes is a little game, a smartphone, and a willingness to step out into the open.