Mindful Waters: An Interactive Digital Aquarium for People with Dementia

Dementia can be associated with social withdrawal, mood changes, and decreased interaction. Animal-assisted therapies and robotic companions have shown potential in enhancing well-being but come with limitations like high maintenance costs and complexity. This research presents an interactive digital aquarium called Mindful Waters, which was developed to promote social interaction and engagement among People with Dementia. The pilot study involved interactive sessions at a community center and a care facility, with situated observations, video and audio recordings, and interviews to assess user engagement motivation, behavior, and user experience with Mindful Waters. The study revealed that Mindful Waters functioned well with People with Dementia and stimulated conversational topics about aquariums through engagement. User feedback was generally positive, with participants appreciating the visual appeal and simplicity. However, some participants with advanced dementia found it challenging to interact due to their mobility limitations, cognitive impairments, and the limited duration of interaction sessions. The overall results suggest that Mindful Waters can benefit dementia care; further research is needed to optimize its design and functionality for long-term placement in care facilities.