Aged care provider Opal is rolling out a new interactive technology in several their 77 homes – letting residents push a virtual ball across a field, sweep a hand through a pond to make fish swim, or scatter fallen autumn leaves with an arm gesture.
The ROMPA® interactive projectors are controlled using gestures and movements by participants and features over 500 apps, including games, meditative experiences, quizzes and programs based around hobbies and interests.
Studies show this kind of augmented reality releases dopamine and improves memory, making it a powerful tool to treat conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Opal’s design manager, Brad Sebastio, is enthusiastic about what the future holds for residents using the technology after a recent trial.
“We started with the fishpond app and I could tell by the look in her eyes that it had really touched one resident, Dorothy,” he said.
“Several of the apps which had a similar effect of evoking a special memory that she could share. It was such a powerful thing to be able to share.”
A great initiative.
