Grandad forgot my name: interactive narratives for dementia support

Aim: This exploratory project aimed to develop online learning materials with interactive narratives for supporting persons living with dementia, with particular focus on initial diagnosis and helping children to understand changes which may occur.

Background: Dementia is a range of neurological conditions that cause the ongoing decline in brain function, manifesting as loss of memory, language, and problem-solving abilities. Over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, straining health and social care resources in their ability to provide information, care, and support for the family. There is a need for easily accessible, high-quality, and nationally scalable resources for dementia support for this growing population.

Methods: Twine was used to produce online digital storytelling media titled 'Grandad Forgot My Name', following the narrative of dementia care for family members. Design, theming, artwork, and story pathways reflected key aspects of dementia and dementia care to facilitate additional support for readers, and health and social care workers. Usage statistics were monitored and readers answered evaluative surveys with numerical scoring and descriptive free responses. Story pathways and information were continuously updated following survey responses.

Findings: Twine and interactive storytelling had potential to reach a wide audience at minimal cost, bridging the gaps between initial concerns, diagnosis, and appointment. However, there were issues with stakeholder adoptability and uptake when sharing materials which must be resolved in full-scaled outputs. Grandad Forgot My Name successfully demonstrated key design and logistical considerations when creating support resources of national impact, with cross-generational communication and reader-centric design optimising engagement.