Dementia Australia technology recognised by 2020 AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies and iAwards

This month Dementia Australia has been recognised for our technology in the 2020 AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies list and the iAwards.

Dementia Australia made it into the top 10 of the AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies List for the tablet app A Better Visit™.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was an honour to be recognised for the app which was designed to help families enjoy ‘a better visit’ with loved ones living with dementia.

“We are proud to be included in the Government, Education and Not-for-profit category across Australia and New Zealand,” Ms McCabe said.

“This award demonstrates our commitment to utilising world-first applications of serious games and virtual reality technologies as a point of difference, globally and advocating for and influencing changes in dementia policy and practice.

“And - our commitment to enabling everyone who visits a loved one with dementia to have fun and enjoy their time together.”

The prestigious annual list, published by The Australian Financial Review and Boss Magazine, is based on an assessment of a top innovation implemented in the past two years – specifically, the judges look at how valuable the problem is that the innovation is solving, the quality and uniqueness of the solution, and the level of impact that the innovation has had.

The judges also consider internal elements such as innovation culture, strategy, resources and process, which demonstrate a sustainable and repeatable approach to innovation.

A Better Visit™ is free to download for tablets from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and has been downloaded more than 6,000 times in Australia and globally, including the US, UK, Canada and France.

The tablet screen size enables larger graphics which means people living with dementia are easily able to navigate, or with some support, engage inclusively with visitors of any age as well as with care workers.

The interaction facilitated by the app, as well as the stimulating images and sounds can enhance enjoyment and discussions for everyone.

The free app consists of eight, two-player games designed to assist communication and a more positive interaction between people living with dementia and their visitors.

Dementia Australia and Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) have also been awarded the Victorian iAward in the Not-For-Profit and Community Solution of the Year category for, ‘Ted the AI Avatar Living with Dementia’.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was an absolute honour to be recognised for ‘Ted the AI Avatar’ which was developed to enable professional carers to learn how best to communicate with people living with dementia.

“We are delighted to have received such recognition jointly with A2I2, from such a prestigious innovation program,” Ms McCabe said.

 “Traditionally, education for aged care workers consists of a classroom scenario with a facilitator, PowerPoint and group discussion.

 “By using this technology, rather than educating care workers on good principles of communication for people living with dementia, they experience them through trial and error in conversation with ‘Ted’ in a safe and encouraging learning environment.   

“This award demonstrates our commitment to utilising world-first applications of serious games and virtual reality technologies as a point of difference, globally and advocating for and influencing changes in dementia policy and practice.”

The iAwards Program engages the most experienced and respected judges in the industry from a variety of backgrounds, such as C-level executives, entrepreneurs and capital raisers and commercialisation experts, academics, and technology subject matter experts. This helps to ensure the iAwards program identifies the best in Australian innovation each year.

Dementia Australia will now compete in the National iAwards to be announced on 17 November 2020.

Ted the AI Avatar Living with Dementia will be launched in early 2021. For enquiries email CDL@dementia.org.au.