Co-Create Virtual Reality/Learning Innovation System (LIS)

The hospital environment for older adults living with dementia can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. Further, hospitalized patients experience digital inequity. They lack access to technology for non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions. This project aims to establish a novel model-Learning Innovation System (LIS)- in a hospital setting where a VR intervention will be co-developed and tested with patients, families, industry, staff, and decision-makers in the field in real-time to accelerate adoption. The project is funded by New Frontier in Research Fund.

LIS draws from principles of Collaborative Action Research (CAR) to develop technology interventions using an inclusive approach for sustainability.

Who are we working with?

We are partnering with Vancouver Coastal Health, Simon Fraser University and University of Waterloo.

The Team

Principal Investigator: Dr. Lillian Hung

Co-Investigators: Dr. Angelica Lim & Dr. Ben Mortenson

Project Coordinator: Lily Ren Haopu

Team Members: Dr Jim Mann, Lily Wong, Joey Wong, Karen Wong, Yasmin Mohammadkhani, Luoci Zhang, Renee Jan

Please contact Lily Ren Haopu at lily.ren@ubc.ca if you have any questions/interest.

Publications

Facilitators and Barriers to Using Virtual Reality and its Impact on Social Engagement in Aged Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Click the picture below to read the full article

Our Activity & Knowledge Translation Snapshots

The UBC IDEA Lab LIS Team welcomes Dr. Věra Suchomelová and Dr. Karolina Diallo from the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic.

UBC IDEA Lab had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Věra Suchomelová and Dr. Karolina Diallo from the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic. Invited by Dr. Lillian Hung and arranged by the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, their visit focused on the innovative use of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the lives of older adults in long-term care facilities and community care settings.

Dr. Suchomelová and Dr. Diallo were warmly welcomed by family partners Lily Wong, Dr. Jim Mann, LL.D., Dr. Ben Mortenson, Dr. Lillian Hung and students from diverse fields. Joey Wong and Lily Haopu Ren, presented two of our current projects: Co-Create VR in Hospital and Long-Term Care. The discussions that followed highlighted the commonalities and differences in VR programs across our countries, enriching our understanding and collaboration in this field.

VR Multi-sensory Day, August 2024

This month was a groundbreaking month for our Co-Create VR team! We hosted a VR Multi-sensory Day at our partnered hospital site, and brought patients, family caregivers and staff individualized immersive experiences! We look forward to more exploration on co-creating visual, audio, olfactory and tactile stimulation with different partners!

Kicking off Weekly Site Visits at Partnered Hospital, July 2024

Kicking off our weekly site visits for the Co-Create Virtual Reality project at our partner hospital! UBC IDEA Lab’s researchers, students and research partners have gathered insightful stories and feedback from staff and patients to improve patient care and VR technology. Excited for the journey ahead

AGE WELL EPIC Conference 2024

Our Family Partner Christine Wallsworth and Lily Haopu Ren of the Co-Create Virtual Reality Program co-presented at the AGE WELL EPIC Conference 2024 on May 24th 2024.We are thankful for the support from our PI, Dr. Lillian Hung and Co-PIs, Dr. Ben Mortenson and Dr. Angelica Lim, Ph.D.. We are proud of our intergenerational and inter-disciplinary teamwork with collaborators, partners, and trainees.