Page 4 - William Cape Gardens Newsletter Winter 2019_Final

4 WILLIAM CAPE NEWS, WINTER 2019
Health & Wellbeing

"A Better Visit" App

A new App launched by Dementia Australia assists together as equal players. Engage your co‐player as much
family members engage with those living with dementia as possible by demonstrating, gently guiding, encouraging
and results in a “Better Visit” for everyone. and turn taking. Find the right activity at the right time.
There might be games one of you is not interested in or

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