Dementia patients in Perth and Kinross will be some of the first in Scotland to benefit from an innovative new therapy.
Murray Royal Hospital in Perth has taken delivery of two interactive units designed to aid communication and evoke memories.
The touch-screen system supports conversation, interaction and engagement between dementia sufferers and healthcare workers, their friends and family, by prompting recollections and reminiscences.
The units contain a range of photographs, video clips, music and lyrics dating back to the 1930s, which aim to awaken memories and stories from the past that people can share in one-to-one or group discussions.
The content can be tailored to certain locations and personal media, such as family photographs and favourite songs, can also be uploaded to make the experience more meaningful and relevant.
The software also allows patients to take part in interactive computer games and activities such as quizzes, bingo, jigsaws, music and painting.
The units will be installed in psychiatry of old age services at Murray Royal, with a further three due to be installed at sites in Angus in the near future.
Perth and Kinross Community Health Partnership chairman John Angus was at Murray Royal on Thursday to see a demonstration of the system.
He said, “These easy-to-use, interactive therapy units, which are a first for Tayside, will be fantastic for our dementia patients as they allow them to really get involved in the activities and give them the independence to manage their own therapy.”