The source of this article is Engineering and Physical Sciences Research 
Council: http://tinyurl.com/bdgm6

New Memory Aid Helps Dementia Sufferers Remember As Time Goes By
PN: 14/05
Issue date: 15 June 2005

Classic movies such as ‘Casablanca’ could bring back lost memories for 
dementia sufferers thanks to an innovative memory aid.

Based on an interactive multimedia computer system and a clearer 
understanding of how dementia sufferers respond to social situations, the 
aid aims to stimulate more enjoyable, rewarding conversation between 
sufferers and those who care for them.

With funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 
(EPSRC), a team of researchers in Scotland, from the Universities of Dundee 
and St Andrews, has developed CIRCA (Computer Interactive Reminiscence and 
Conversation Aid). CIRCA comprises a simple touch-screen with 
easy-to-follow instructions that require no IT competence.

When switched on, it displays a choice of three random categories 
(entertainment, local life etc). Selecting a category, the user is given a 
choice of ‘music’, ‘photo’ or ‘video’. These in turn call up images, video 
or sound clips (e.g. of well-known movie stars such as Humphrey Bogart) 
from a database, acting as a memory trigger and conversation prompt. A 
‘stop and talk’ button allows the system to be frozen at any point.

The research team has built a range of innovative features into the way the 
system is used. Because sufferer and carer sit side by side in front of the 
screen, encouraging the sense of a shared experience, and because the 
system relies on a touch screen, rather than a mouse or keyboard, the carer 
is not seen as being ‘in control’. Furthermore, as the sufferer can be 
prompted to operate the system themselves, they feel less dependent on 
their carer. The result is a more positive, relaxed social experience than 
can be achieved using other memory-prompting reminiscence packages 
currently available.

During development, CIRCA was tested on 40 dementia sufferers in daycare, 
nursing home and family situations. The results were very encouraging, with 
many carers reporting that sufferers seemed like their ‘old self’ (see case 
studies below). CIRCA exploits the fact that, while dementia sufferers find 
it hard to recall recent events, longer-term memory is less affected by 
their condition.

CIRCA could become available on the market in 2-3 years. The research team 
is now looking at whether it could also be used for people with learning 
disabilities or head injuries. In addition, they have secured EPSRC funding 
to develop an interactive multimedia activity system that dementia 
sufferers can use on their own.

Dr Arlene Astell of the University of St Andrews School of Psychology, 
speaking on behalf of the research team, says: "Dementia sufferers’ 
declining ability to hold normal conversations causes a lot of stress and 
frustration. Helping them access their memories will make living with 
dementia more bearable and less distressing for sufferers and their carers.”

Notes for Editors
CIRCA case studies:

1. Jane was a 56 year old with early onset dementia, cared for at home by 
her husband Richard. Jane needed a great deal of help with all aspects of 
daily life and her dementia was so advanced that she regularly used only 
single words to communicate.

Richard and Jane were invited to use CIRCA in their home and were given 
brief instructions on how to operate the system. Richard encouraged his 
wife to comment on the contents of the system and Jane looked at the screen 
and touched it when prompted by Richard. The most striking episode occurred 
when Jane watched a video clip of Elvis Presley. Jane smiled, took 
Richard’s hand and proceeded to swing their hands in time to the music. 
Jane continued to smile and laugh during the music and at one point moved 
in close and rubbed noses with her husband. Richard was visibly touched by 
this - he later commented that he thought it was Jane’s attempt to tell him 
that ‘she remembered’.

Richard felt using CIRCA was a worthwhile experience for both himself and 
his wife, allowing them to have an enjoyable shared experience. He 
commented: “We can do it together…it gives a common ground…we can see and 
hear the same things.” Richard also felt CIRCA allowed him to communicate 
more effectively with his wife.

2. John was an 88 year old with advanced dementia who lived in a small 
nursing home unit specialising in the care of older people with cognitive 
impairment. John was very fragile physically but retained a sharp wit and a 
very strong personality. As a result, staff often found it challenging to 
include John in planned activities.

John was invited to use CIRCA with Kate, a professional caregiver at the 
unit. From the outset, John was clearly very interested in the system and 
touched the screen when encouraged by Kate. He chose what he wanted to look 
at throughout the session and often laughed and joked with Kate. John made 
several comments in response to and about the contents of the system, at 
times saying ‘good thing, this’, ‘this covers everything’, ‘it’s good to 
remember things’ and ‘that’s entertainment!’

After the session, Kate commented that she had “never enjoyed conducting 
reminiscence so much with a resident”. She felt she and John had “achieved 
something” together and was delighted to see him choose things for himself. 
She felt that she and John had both really enjoyed themselves.

*      *      *      *      *      *

The 3-year project, ‘A Multimedia Reminiscence Experience and Conversation 
Support for Elderly People with Memory Loss,’ received EPSRC funding of 
£404,000. Alzheimer Scotland and Dundee City Council were partners in this 
initiative, which was supported under the EPSRC-funded EQUAL programme. 
EQUAL aims to encourage technological developments that improve quality of 
life for older adults. For more information on EQUAL, visit the web at 
www.fp.rdg.ac.uk/equal/

The 3-year follow-up project, “Developing an Interactive Multimedia 
Activity System for Elderly People with Dementia”, will run until 2007 and 
is receiving EPSRC funding of £457,000.

The research team is drawn from:

the School of Psychology at the University of St Andrews
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee
the Department of Applied Computing at the University of Dundee
Researchers have found that it is better to avoid customising CIRCA to 
include items of close personal relevance to individual sufferers, who 
tended to feel distressed if they are unable to remember the names of 
people they recognised as close friends or family members.

In the UK, 5% of people over the age of 65 are affected by dementia, the 
most common form being Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK’s 
main agency for funding research in engineering and the physical sciences. 
The EPSRC invests more than £500 million a year in research and 
postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of 
technological change. The areas covered range from information technology 
to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This 
research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and 
improvements for everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC also 
actively promotes public awareness of science and engineering. EPSRC works 
alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of 
research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common 
concern via Research Councils UK.

For more information, contact:
Dr Arlene Astell, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, E-mail: 
[log in to unmask], Tel: 01334 462056,

Three images are available from the EPSRC Press Office: contact Lisa Green, 
E-mail: [log in to unmask], tel: 01793 442806

Suggested captions for images:
Ladies sweeping.jpg: ‘The CIRCA system provides old photographs, video 
footage and music to help dementia sufferers remember the past and engage 
in conversation with their carers’.
Record Player.jpg and Radio.jpg: ‘While the current system draws on images 
and sounds from the 1930’s to the 1960’s the content could be tailored to 
reflect the sort of material likely to appeal to any age group’.

A more detailed feature on this research is available in the next edition 
of EPSRC’s publication ‘Newsline’ If you’d like a copy of this issue please 
contact Jonathan Wakefield, tel: 01793 444075, e-mail: 
[log in to unmask]

Dr Arlene Astell, of the University of St Andrews, will be talking about 
the findings of her work with the Computer Interactive Conversation Aid 
(CIRCA) at the Annual Conference for Psychology Specialists Working with 
Older People (PSIGE) - part of The British Psychological Society - at 
University College Chester, on Friday 15 July 2005.

For further information contact: Conference Press Officers Dr Vicky Pike 
(07792 015388) or Dr Amanda Thornton (07729 292917)

For more information on the British Psychological Society and this 
conference visit www.bps.org.uk



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