MatchLink - a multi-sensorial game for persons with dementia

Abstract

As Singapore faces population aging, an increasing number of people have been diagnosed with Dementia. It is essential to reduce the impacts of this crisis by mitigating the effects of the problem through cognitive stimulation and social interaction. Sensory stimulation can enhance the wellbeing of people with Dementia (PWD) and their caregivers by reducing their susceptibility to developing behavioural or psychological symptoms. Cognitive and motor stimulation are also able to prevent the decline of the patient’s state. This project led to the development of a multi-sensorial game (MatchLink) for use by Occupational Therapist (OT) to engage and stimulate PWD’s with the intention to increase functional ability and prevent decline. Primary information was collected through an ethnographic observation at Ng Teng Fong Hospital with the guidance of an OT. Matchlink has different levels of cognitive and sensory skills, which can be applied by OTs on patients with varying intensity of dementia taking into consideration the hospital setting and the patient’s needs.