Toolkit for Experiential Well-beiNg in Dementia (TEND)

The aim of this phase is to assess initial active engagement, sustained attention, and positive emotions of the "Isle of TEND" intervention platform. Our participants (N = 5 dyads) will be persons living with moderate-severe dementia and their caregivers in the Boston area. The intervention, "Isle of TEND" is an immersive and interactive videogame platform designed for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Studio Elsewhere, a design and development team, developed the platform in consideration with feedback generated from focus groups and design workshops. Users navigate the online island and explore accompanying modules with varying audio and visual features. The platform aims to engage dyads in an enjoyable, shared, and "error-free" experience (i.e., creating poetry, viewing virtual art). Participants will use their personal "travel journal" after each platform session, in which they log engagement and positive emotion. Dyads are also encouraged to provide free response feedback on the platform. Once a week, dyads will record themselves as they use the platform. The investigators will conclude the pilot with exit interviews. Baseline and post intervention assessments will include self-reported measures including relationship satisfaction, wellbeing, and caregiver stress. The research team will engage in behavioral observation coding to assess active engagement.