Page 4 - Bayswater Gardens Newsletter Winter 2019_Final

4 BAYSWATER NEWS, WINTER 2019
Health & Wellbeing

"A Better Visit" App

A new App launched by Dementia Australia assists There might be games one of you is not interested in or
family members engage with those living with dementia days where an activity away from the iPad is preferred.
and results in a “Better Visit” for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to play, or requirement to
complete games. Come up with ways that engage both of
you, the main purpose is to have fun together or engage
“A Better Visit” is a free to download app for iPads in a conversation prompted by the visuals or music. Don’t
featuring a range of two‐player games designed to
enhance communication and facilitate positive social necessarily insist on playing according to rules and
interactions between people with dementia and their engage in conversations. Ask one question at a time
visitors. The app was developed in collaboration by (even if there are several listed). Don’t leave all the
Dementia Australia, Lifeview Residential Care and questions to your co‐player; show initiative and tell some
stories yourself.
Swinburne University of Technology’s Future Self and
Design Living Lab. The interactive games were designed in If you are looking to enhance your visits we suggest
a co‐creative process with people living with moderate downloading "A Better Visit" App to use with your loved
and advanced dementia and their visitors. Often family one.
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
together as equal players. Engage your co‐player as
together as equal players. Engage your co‐player as much
as possible by demonstrating, gently guiding, encouraging
and turn taking. Find the right activity at the right time.