Connected Studio have investigated the use of BBC Archive material to improve the well-being and memory of people with dementia. A workshop was hosted to discuss this possibility and provide essential insights into living with the condition. Events Producer Laura Harrison discusses the techniques used in the workshop and the importance of this new project.
Can the use of the BBC Archive help stimulate memory in dementia sufferers? Recently, BBC Connected Studio ran a workshop to discuss just that; enabling BBC experts in Archive, Engineering and Learning to connect with the UK’s leading experts in dementia.
With the data available to understand our audience habits by demographic(s) and the technical capability from BBC Research & Development (for example, object based media), the BBC is potentially in a strong position to offer help in creating new digital experiences that stimulate memory and encourage well-being.
Dementia sufferers are often misunderstood. The stigma attached to the disease leaves them in isolation more times than not. The most common misconception is that dementia (the umbrella term for any brain syndrome that results in cognitive deficiency, including Alzheimer’s) is caused by old age, when in fact it is caused by brain disease. It affects more than just the memory, it can create change in personality too.
With the millions of video, audio, images and articles that the BBC archive holds, could these assets help dementia sufferers with reminiscence therapy and help create a place of wellbeing to live with dementia? And if so, what might that look like?
The workshop began with an overview of the BBC archive from Peter Rippon, showing examples of the plethora of material available from as early as the 1890’s, predating the BBC. This was followed by an overview of dementia from Prof Alistair Burns, informing us of the stark reality that it is the most feared disease in over 50’s in the UK - more so than cancer and heart disease - most likely because of the lack of information available to the public and ultimately down to the cost of research.
During the workshop, the participants were split into 5 groups with a mix of skills and asked to create several ideas before focusing on one. The teams used personas to help inform their ideas. These personas were created by the University of the West of Scotland in connection with Alzheimer’s Scotland and provided some background knowledge into the life of five specific dementia sufferers. Although these personas were based on real lives and portrayed some representation of dementia, the span of the disease means that each case is entirely different.
We were also lucky enough to be working with the Scottish Dementia Working Group who connected us with Henry and Robina, both of whom have dementia and offered testing around the concepts. It was an emotional session listening to the experience of living with the disease and they highlighted some useful points that the teams had overlooked.
For example, generally speaking, people with dementia suffer from a short attention span, therefore elongated periods of archive video wouldn’t necessarily be an appropriate solution in some cases. After presenting the journeys to Henry & Robina, the teams continued to work up their ideas using this before showcasing them to the wider group.
There were some great digital concepts presented, which varied from personalised experiences using mood and time, to collaborative online experiences with a specific focus on singing. The ideas are still being reviewed, after which a selection may be asked to build prototypes which can be tested with dementia sufferers.
I think it's safe to say that this particular challenge was a favourite amongst the team. Seeing groups that are usually so far removed from each others' daily work life, coming together and using the Connected Studio techniques and innovation process to try to find a way to actually help people suffering from dementia, left us feeling humbled and proud to be able to contribute.
