Co-create Virtual Reality in Long Term Care
What is the purpose of this study?
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 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
Who is engaged in the VIP project?
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.
An interdisciplinary, integrated approach engages users, staff, patient and family partners, trainees, and researchers, merging expertise for impactful outcomes.
The Team
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lillian Hung
Co-Investigators: 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
Who are we working with?
We are partnering with Vancouver Coastal Health, Baptist Housing – Inglewood Care Center, Simon Fraser University, University of Waterloo.
This project is funded by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
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.
Newsletters:
July/August Combined Co-Create VIP-LIS Edition 2024
April/May 2024
March 2024
January/February 2024
December 2023
Events:
UBC IDEA Lab members marked an exceptional day at our partnered long-term care facility, where we introduced residents to the wonders of Virtual Reality! Enhanced with calming aromas, these immersive experiences brought joy and engagement to our older participants.
It was heartwarming to witness the smiles shared by residents and the students who accompanied them. We are grateful to the care home staff and our enthusiastic residents, whose participation made this event extraordinary.
During an amazing virtual reality session at a long-term care home with our Co-Create VR team, we engaged over 40 interdisciplinary staff members, and introduced them to VR through exciting games. Our team facilitated the session, sparking great discussions and valuable feedback. Both our research team and the staff were fully immersed, exploring interactive design and smooth collaboration.
