My Life Software has developed an innovative software
solution that provides communication, education and interactivity for older
people, people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, people with learning difficulties
and people with brain injuries.
Designed by caregivers for caregivers, the product emanates
from meticulous research and field testing involving frontline care workers,
patients and family members – helping the family and the support groups to
provide a person-centered assistance to support the patient.
The software includes a variety of therapeutic tools for
reminiscence and digital life story books to aid in memory-related activities,
with the additional value of gaining mood and wellbeing outcomes automatically
as the system is being used.
The program was designed to support conversations,
interaction and engagement between people with dementia and caregivers, friends
and family. The computer system contains a huge range of photographs, video
clips, music and lyrics dating back to the 1930's. This material was
specifically chosen to spark recollections that can form the basis of
conversations and promote well-being. Content can be regionally selected to
target the audience even more specifically. Memories and stories from the past
can be evoked so that people can share in one-on-one or group discussions.
The concept of the system and its therapy is to reduce the
intake of so many sedative-type drugs, as confirmed by Professor David Jolley of
the University of Manchester: "Therapy
of this nature is powerful and effective for the person with memory problems
and for their caring family. Such therapies will surely be available on
prescription in the near future. This will reduce the use of tranquilizers,
avoiding their side effects and costs."
Since the original field testing was carried out, the
developing and refining process has continued due to the help and feedback from
healthcare workers and their suggestions. My Life Software is also building a
user community through social networking, such as Facebook.
In all cases results have been outstanding, proving our
Digital Reminiscence Therapy Software allows effective engagement,
communication, and interaction with individuals who have a diagnosis of
dementia.
These evaluations have shown how quickly the software can be
understood by people with dementia and other cognitive impairments, as well as
families and care staff. The database of media content makes it easy for
caregivers to offer people a choice of what they would like to look at or
listen to. People with cognitive impairments can easily make choices too, by
simply touching the screen. These evaluations have shown how the software
stimulates people with dementia to start lively discussions, debates, and
telling of anecdotes of long-forgotten tales, with many occasions where people
with dementia educated their caregivers and family members about events from
the past.
Personal media items can also be uploaded, allowing
families, caregiver’s and people with dementia to view images from the past or
other relevant images. This ensures everyone can have a meaningful and personal
experience.
The program is loaded with over 1000 regional photographs,
dating back to 1868, of towns and villages across Britain and the Republic of
Ireland, from Jersey to the top of Scotland. More images can be added through
simple software updates, so people with dementia can always have an extensive
range of reminiscence experiences.
Pieces of media which prove to be particularly good at
encouraging communication and facilitating well-being can be saved to a ‘favorites’
list specific to each person’s profile. Alternatively, those which are disliked
never need to be seen again, through using the ‘don’t show again’ button.
If a small aspect of a picture or film is particularly
relevant, a ‘zoom’ feature can allow for this part of the image to be increased
in size, focusing attention on it and allowing caregiver’s to tailor media to
each individual’s personal preferences.
For families of people with dementia and care staff, it is
an easy-to-use activity, providing a great way to communicate and pass the
time, in both group discussions and one-to-one sessions. It requires no
preparation and the ability to randomize content provides different
permutations of material each time. The ‘favorites’ in each profile, and the
regional list, allows caregiver’s to bring up particularly relevant material
for every person with dementia and tailor the program specifically for them.
The wide range of media opens up a whole world of content and the potential to
have a different reminiscence experience every time it is used.
For people with dementia, it is a program that encourages
cognitive function and promotes well-being, opening the door for a great range
of meaningful communications and reminiscence experiences with other people.
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