Maddie Radnan

Research Student

Research Program: Music Cognition and Action

Thesis Title

Evaluating technology-based reminiscence for engagement and affect in aged care: Time Travelling with Technology

Research Project

Dementia in Australia is an exponentially increasing concern with an aging population that is predicted to see reported cases of dementia triple to 900,000 by 2050. Progression of Dementia is characterised by cognitive (language, memory, perception, personality, cognition) and behavioural (social engagement, movement, ability to perform everyday living activities) impairments. These manifest as, but are not limited to, an increase in apathy, depression, and anti-social behaviour, resulting in a lack of engagement and reduced quality of relationships. It is important for older adults when attending respite aged care facilities to foster positive relationships which may often be difficult being in a contextually novel environment amongst care staff and other residents that are unfamiliar with pasts histories and identity.

Time Travelling with Technology (TTT) is an immersive, dynamic and interactive interface that utilises Google Liquid Galaxy to explore worldly landmarks and locations. In a day respite aged care facility, TTT will be utilised as a platform for technology driven reminiscence therapy. It will give older adults the opportunity to travel to both significant and insignificant locations. The current research aims to explore how TTT impacts different modes of engagement of older adults.

Qualifications and Honours

• BAdvSci(Hons): Bachelor of Advance Science (Honours) with Honours Class 1 in Neuroscience and majors in Neuroscience and Psychology.

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