Page 4 - Lansdowne Gardens Newsletter Winter 2019_Final

4 LANSDOWNE NEWS, WINTER 2019
Health & Wellbeing

"A Better Visit" App

A new App launched by Dementia Australia assists you, the main purpose is to have fun together or engage
family members engage with those living with dementia in a conversation prompted by the visuals or music. Don’t
and results in a “Better Visit” for everyone. necessarily insist on playing according to rules and
engage in conversations. Ask one question at a time
“A Better Visit” is a free to download app for iPads (even if there are several listed). Don’t leave all the
featuring a range of two‐player games designed to questions to your co‐player; show initiative and tell some
enhance communication and facilitate positive social stories yourself.
interactions between people with dementia and their
visitors. The app was developed in collaboration by If you are looking to enhance your visits we suggest
Dementia Australia, Lifeview Residential Care and downloading "A Better Visit" App to use with your loved
Swinburne University of Technology’s Future Self and one.
Design Living Lab. The interactive games were designed in
a co‐creative process with people living with moderate
and advanced dementia and their visitors. Often family
members struggle to interact and engage with a family
member who no longer recognises them. This application
assists with engaging the family members and results in a
“Better Visit” for everyone. Observations were made of
families visiting and sitting next to their loved ones,
struggling to maintain conversation. Through the
stimulation and interaction that the App prompts, more
laughter and chatting consequently occurs. It has been
observed that after the game play, the resident's mood is
often more upbeat and positive, even after the families
visiting leave and go home.

Some Practical Tips on Using the App

To get the most from the app, it is advised to share the
experience as much as possible. While you may need to
explain games and read out questions, try to play There
might be games one of you is not interested in or days
where an activity away from the iPad is preferred. There
is no right or wrong way to play, or requirement to
complete games. Come up with ways that engage both of