Touch Screens Jog Social Memories
From: BBC News - 06/15/2005

The Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (Circa) system
groups pieces of old movies, music, and photos that can be played on a touch
screen. While reminiscence therapy is vital for individuals with dementia,
they are frequently led and controlled by the caregiver. Instead, Circa
enables individuals to take control by selecting clips that may initiate
certain memory and conversation. The team that created and tested the system
is currently looking at devising a similar one that individuals could use by
themselves. They team says the research, which is funded by the Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council, could be built on to assist people
with learning disabilities and head injuries in the future. The Circa system
is based on hypermedia technology, connected content that works like Internet
hyperlinks. It utilizes the carefully selected media as memory aids and
prompts instead. Tested by 40 dementia patients and their caregivers, the
system proved popular when music clips were accessed, and in certain cases,
caregivers noted that the patients appeared like their former selves. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4091516.stm

Links:
Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid
http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/projects/circa/

New memory aid helps dementia sufferers remember as time goes by
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/eaps-nma061505.php

Aid helps dementia sufferers remember
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/8184

Technology's gentle touch helps ease dementia
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=660062005

New Memory Aid Helps Dementia Sufferers Remember As Time Goes By
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050616061848.htm

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/default.htm

Music Therapy and Dementia
https://www.westmusic.com/pages/library/mt_dementia.htm