A virtual reality experience to assist health workers in caring for patients with dementia at mealtimes has been recently released by Dementia Australia. 

Dementia Australia’s Dine with Ted allows participants to engage in a dining experience from the perspective of a person living with dementia.  

The three-hour virtual reality program uses avatar technology to educate participants on several dining aspects that affect people with dementia, including: 

• the consumer perspective of dining; 

• the impact that the dining experience has on a person living with dementia; 

• using a problem-solving approach to assist with changed behaviours around dining; and 

• practical ideas for improvement of the dining experience. 

Behavioural changes related to food for the person living with dementia can include forgetting to eat or drink, struggling to use cutlery, forgetting how to chew and swallow and experiencing a loss of appetite.  

Improving dining outcomes for people with dementia can involve eating in well-lit rooms, serving familiar foods, keeping the table free from distractions such as salt and pepper shakers, creating a calm and quiet environment and using no-spill cups.  

“For people living with dementia in community, home or residential care, a positive dining experience is so important,” said Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan. 

Dine with Ted responds to the upcoming strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards around dining experiences for people living in aged care, as they have an elevated importance, Professor Buchanan said. 

Dine with Ted is suitable for healthcare workers including aged care workers, dietitians, registered nurses, allied health workers and speech pathologists.  

Virtual reality can expose healthcare workers to thinking differently about meals in aged care homes, said Regis Aged Care Manager Rachel Mead. 

“The technology used can really transport people to capture different perspectives. It was eye-opening.” 

Healthcare workers may also improve dementia care by engaging in this virtual reality experience, she said. 

Healthcare organisations can book in their staff to participate in the Dine with Ted experience on the Dementia Australia website.