Let’s Meet in Their Reality Embodying the World of Dementia
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Share PrintVirtual 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.
Origin:
January 2018, Maritza Buenaver, MD
Adoptions:
5 successful
Partners:
Academic Affiliations
Recent Updates
Overview
The 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
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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 of instruction often do not equip them with the necessary empathy and perspective-taking skills to provide patient-centered care. This inadequacy leaves many health care staff feeling unprepared to manage patients with dementia, heightening the demand for innovative, immersive teaching tools like VR to effectively convey the complexities of dementia.
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The 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
...
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, fostering improved communication and a more empathetic approach to care.
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The 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 ... 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 older adults presenting with Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
• 35% increase in how comfortable the staff feels about discussing end-of-life issues.
For trainees, the gains were even more substantial, yielding the following outcomes:
• 98% increase in understanding from the perspective of older adults with sensory loss
• 89% surge in confidence in caring for advanced-stage dementia patients
• 95% growth in their ability to respond effectively to BPSD
• 80% increase in how comfortable the staff feels about discussing end-of-life issues See more
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 ... 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 older adults presenting with Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
• 35% increase in how comfortable the staff feels about discussing end-of-life issues.
For trainees, the gains were even more substantial, yielding the following outcomes:
• 98% increase in understanding from the perspective of older adults with sensory loss
• 89% surge in confidence in caring for advanced-stage dementia patients
• 95% growth in their ability to respond effectively to BPSD
• 80% increase in how comfortable the staff feels about discussing end-of-life issues 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)
Implementation
Optional Resources
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Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email vaimmersive@va.gov 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.
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