Gaming and virtual reality technology are being used to improve the care of Australians living with cognitive decline. The immersive technology allows patients' loved ones to see, hear and feel the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia.
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00:00 Ready, lift, one.
00:04 Healthy body, healthy mind.
00:06 Sally Banyard is training for a major milestone.
00:08 Sally, what is the secret to living a long life?
00:12 I don't know.
00:13 Didn't plan it.
00:14 Moderation in all things.
00:18 Sally was diagnosed with dementia after a serious fall and she is among more than half
00:23 of all residents living with cognitive impairment at this aged care facility.
00:28 We can have anything from verbal refusal of care, through to wandering, through to physical
00:33 aggression.
00:34 It's probably imperative that there are different ways to experience and to understand what
00:43 your loved one is going through.
00:45 You have here your headphones.
00:47 Inspired by gaming and virtual reality technology, Dementia Australia created this immersive
00:53 training based on the accounts of 20 people living with dementia.
00:57 The learner, using the virtual technology, using those headsets, actually goes into the
01:04 world of the person living with dementia for about 15 to 20 minutes.
01:08 In the scenario as character Eddie, patterns become moving objects or hallucinations.
01:13 Shadows, clutter and loud noises overwhelm Eddie.
01:18 All these things can be quite frightening.
01:20 It does make you feel uncomfortable because it's not something you've ever felt before.
01:25 Highlighting the importance of both empathy and the need for more dementia friendly environments.
01:32 So this training was like eye opening for me.
01:34 So even things like changing the colour of their dining setting to be plain, no patterns.
01:44 Back in Sally's room, planning is underway for a birthday celebration.
01:48 Tell me your date of birth Sally.
01:50 9th of October 1920.
01:52 103 years young.
01:54 [BLANK_AUDIO]