Implementing Virtual Reality to Enhance Reminiscence Therapy for Older Adults
Reminiscence therapy
Hillcrest care Group own a care facility for older adults. They were seeking innovative ways to improve the mental and emotional well-being of residents and identified reminiscence therapy as a key area where technological intervention could enhance engagement and quality of life.
The primary challenge was finding an effective and scalable method to facilitate reminiscence therapy, given the diverse backgrounds and cognitive needs of the residents. Traditional methods were limited in their ability to immerse individuals in past experiences, which led to the exploration of Virtual Reality (VR) as a potential solution.
Implementation of VR technology
The project involved the implementation of VR technology to create immersive reminiscence therapy experiences for residents. The intervention was carried out in two key stages:
Content Creation and Initial Trial:
ATU staff developed 360° video content featuring nostalgic locations such as local beaches and farms, tailored to residents’ memories and preferences. They utilised YouTube VR and Meta Quest headsets to make the content accessible and user-friendly. A pilot trial was conducted to assess engagement levels and gather feedback.
Stakeholder Training:
A structured training program for staff, featuring instructional videos on recording, editing, and managing 360° VR content. The staff were equipped with the necessary tools and skills to independently produce VR content. This will enable staff and other stakeholders to establish a cost-effective library of VR content for continued therapeutic use.
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Irish Company
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EDIH Project
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Key stages
“The introduction of Virtual Reality has transformed the way we engage our residents. Seeing them relive fond memories with such joy is incredibly rewarding. This project has truly enriched our approach to reminiscence therapy. The support from the Data2Sustain EDIH was invaluable in making this initiative a success.”
Luke Gavigan
Hillcrest Nursing Group & WiSAR Technology Gateway partnership
Residents showed increased participation and enthusiasm, with positive feedback indicating improved emotional well-being. Hillcrest Nursing Home now has an established VR content library, enabling continued therapeutic use. Caregivers gained technical skills, allowing them to independently create and implement VR-based reminiscence therapy. The success of the project sets a precedent for similar implementations in other nursing homes in the group.
From a financial perspective, the initial investment in VR equipment and training yielded long-term benefits by reducing the need for external entertainment and therapy services.The project significantly improved the quality of life for residents by providing an engaging and therapeutic activity. Reduced dependency on external therapy services and entertainment activities, lowering operational costs. Other elder care institutions can replicate the model, leading to broader adoption of VR in healthcare settings.