Co-Create Virtual Reality in Long Term Care

Co-create Virtual Reality in Long Term Care

The Purpose

To collaboratively develop a Virtual Reality Immersive Program in partnership with older adults, individuals who are living with dementia, their care partners, staff, and decision-makers in long-term care.To collaboratively develop a Virtual Reality Immersive Program in partnership with older adults, individuals who are living with dementia, their care partners, staff, and decision-makers in long-term care.

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

Virtual Reality is a simulated 3D environment that allows you to explore, interact, and experience different surroundings

Why are we doing this project?

  • Previous studies highlight the potential of virtual immersive experiences to bring joy and promote the well-being of individuals living with dementia
  • To implement Collaborative Action Research (CAR) and develop a sustainable and inclusive health tech interventionTo implement Collaborative Action Research (CAR) and develop a sustainable and inclusive health tech intervention

What are the goals of the VIP project?

  • Alleviate feelings of loneliness and enhance social connection among individuals with dementia
  • Examine the positive outcomes and challenges encountered by engaging residents, families, clinical staff, and leaders in the co-creation process
  • Create a person-centred, needs-driven, accessible, adaptive, and sustainable program specifically tailored for individuals with dementia in long-term care settings

The Virtual reality Immersive Program (VIP) project engages residents, families, clinical staff, and leaders in participatory planning. Using human-centred design, the project ensures accessibility, adaptability, and sustainability for diverse individuals living with dementia.

Who is engaged in the VIP project?


Principal Investigator: Dr. Lillian Hung

Co-Investigator: Dr. Ben Mortenson, Dr. Angelica Lim

Project Coordinator: Please contact Joey Wong at joey.wong@ubc.ca if you have any questions/interest.

Research Assistant: Albin Soni, Mary Van and Sena Kholmatov

Current Team Members Bonnie Huynh, Christine Wallsworth, Jamie Lam, Janna Zeid, Jim Mann, Joelle Rivera, Kara Yeh, Karen Wong, Kayla Wen, Lily Ren, Lily Wong, Sena Kholmatov, Shilam Patel, Sonia Tang, and Sungyou Park

Publications

We are proud to share the publication of our collaborative research article, “Staff Perspectives of Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Virtual Reality for People Living with Dementia in Long-Term Care,” involving the UBC School of Nursing (Vancouver), School of Social Work, Faculty of Science, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Science, Neuroscience.

This study explores the integration of virtual reality (VR) technologies in long-term care homes in Canada, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. Our interdisciplinary team, comprised of clinicians, patients, family partners, trainees, and researchers, has identified key facilitators and barriers to VR adoption in these settings.

Events!

Partners