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Let’s Meet in Their Reality Embodying the World of Dementia

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Virtual reality (VR) simulations for dementia and Alzheimer's disease provide a dynamic, immersive platform to help participants develop and enhance patient-centered skills, including empathy, perspective-taking, effective communication and critical thinking. Through VR Labs, our participants experience various stages and conditions of dementia and Alzheimer's from the patient's viewpoint. The immersive experience helps care providers gain the knowledge and empathy required to improve the quality of care for patients with dementia.

This innovation is replicating across multiple facilities as its impact continues to be validated. See more replicating innovations.

Origin:

January 2018, Maritza Buenaver, MD

Adoptions:

5 successful

Partners:

Academic Affiliations

Contact Team

Overview

Problem

The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a public health priority, with more than 55 million people affected worldwide and nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Despite this prevalence, a significant knowledge gap persists in understanding the day-to-day reality of dementia patients among health care professionals. Traditional methods ... See more

Solution

This innovation addresses the identified knowledge gap by leveraging VR technology as an immersive educational tool. By immersing trainees in the patient's reality, the program enhances critical skills required for effective patient-centered care. As a result, medical professionals and caregivers can better understand dementia from a patient’s perspective, f ... See more

Results

The pilot significantly enhanced the capabilities of both seasoned staff and trainees.
Among seasoned staff, the program yielded a
• 44% increase in understanding the perspective of older adults with hearing and/or vision loss.
• 34% boost in confidence in caring for advanced-stage dementia patients, and a similar rise in confidence in responding to olde
... See more

Metrics

  • Competence: Knowledge; confidence
  • Person-Centered Care: Communication and conflict resolution skills; empowerment to deliver quality of care
  • Emotional Intelligence: Empathy; insight
  • Cultural Intelligence: Understanding of differences in social cues and language

Diffusion tracker

Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)

Statuses

Implementation

Optional Resources

Resource type Resource description
TOOLS
  • Embodied Labs Virtual Reality Headset
  • Embodied Labs Software
  • Computer

Contact

Comment

Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.

VA User (CLC Medical Director, Physician) Innovation adopter posted

I am CLC Medical director at VA Illiana HCS, VISN 12. We want to adopt this innovation. Please guide us on next steps. My contact chitra.gowda@va.gov

Email

Email with questions about this innovation.

About

Origin story

Through the Geriatric Work Enhancement Program, sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the University of Iowa, VR kits were procured for use at Topeka VA’s Community Living Center. This advanced technology was introduced to an interdisciplinary team comprised of nursing staff and students, social workers, pharmacists, psychiatric re ... Through the Geriatric Work Enhancement Program, sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration at the University of Iowa, VR kits were procured for use at Topeka VA’s Community Living Center. This advanced technology was introduced to an interdisciplinary team comprised of nursing staff and students, social workers, pharmacists, psychiatric residents and geriatric fellows during their respective rotations at the Center. The VR training has since been incorporated into the standard proficiency curriculum for staff at the Community Living Center. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the training transitioned to a remote format, utilizing Zoom to deliver immersive distance learning experiences to individual learners or large groups of 50+ per session. The innovation has since been adopted by multiple locations, including the University of Kansas Medical Center (Geriatrics and Family Medicine), Meharry Medical College Psychiatry Residents, Colegio Politecnico da UFSM, Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil, various nursing homes, unpaid caregivers’ residences and caregiver support groups such as those at Basehor Library, Kansas.