‘Game changer’ in dementia care
The launch of new video game technology may help break “new ground” in the use of virtual sensory therapy for people with dementia. The video game application titled ,The Forest Project, is designed to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia.
Maree McCabe says we need to bring fun back into the lives of dementia patients.
Opaque Multimedia and Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria yesterday announced the launch of a Pozible crowd funding campaign to support the development of The Forest Project – designed through the use of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4 technology.
The announcement was made internationally at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. The campaign aims to raise AU$90,000.
Norman Wang, Opaque Multimedia director, said: “Unreal Engine 4 is a next generation video game technology. This is the same technology behind some of the most visually impressive video games of recent years.”
Opaque Multimedia is a Melbourne based digital design studio specialising in the application of video game technologies in novel domains.
Mr Wang claimed by supporting the initiative, backers would help to break new ground in the use of virtual sensory therapy for people with dementia.
“We are calling on the global gaming community to get behind The Forest Project to demonstrate that video games can add immeasurable value to healthcare.
“With the community’s support we can greatly increase the fidelity, the types of environment, experiences and will strengthen the emotional connection – ultimately making a difference to the lives of people living with dementia,” Mr Wang said.
The Forest Project also uses Microsoft’s Kinect 2 technology which, using smart TVs, aims to turn a living room or a lounge in a care centre into an enchanted space that both stimulates the senses and engages through interactivity.
The Forest Project will reportedly record a number of technological ‘firsts’:
- One of the first serious game titles to use Unreal Engine 4 for dementia care and the first application of its kind in Australia
- One of the first attempts to support the care of people with dementia using game technology as well as supporting sensory therapy applications
- One of the first to be tailored specifically to the needs of people living with dementia and their carers
The virtual environment is being designed from the ground up specifically for people with dementia. The Forest Project will provide a beautiful, calming and highly interactive experience.
Maree McCabe, Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria, chief executive, said: “Imagine being able to take a person with dementia out of their everyday experience and into a virtual environment through which they will experience awe, wonder, giggles, amazement and joy. Using video game technology we can do this.”
She claimed Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria is constantly looking out for the game changers – the innovations that will make a difference to the quality of life for people living with dementia.
“This first interactive virtual experience we are creating is a forest. Imagine if we could make this technology available for smart TVs in aged care and private homes across the globe, for everybody to enjoy.
“Together we can, and in so doing, make a real difference and bring some fun back into the lives of people living with dementia.”
Dementia is reportedly the third leading cause of death in Australia. In Australia alone there are more than 330,000 people living with dementia, with the number set to increase by about 900,000 by 2050.
The Forest Project is under development and targeted to be released on multiple platforms early next year.
Support the Forest Project campaign.
