Using Virtual Reality to Help Older Adults with Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Milnamow Mary, Agyemang Lillian, Bakk Louanne, Dauenhauer Jason
Primary Institution: University at Buffalo, SUNY
Hypothesis
Can Implementation Science improve the adoption of Virtual Reality interventions for older adults with dementia in community settings?
Conclusion
The study found that using Implementation Science effectively improved the adoption of Virtual Reality interventions for older adults with dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- 6.7 million older adults in the U.S. are living with dementia, a number expected to double by 2040.
- Participants showed significant improvement in VR skills after training.
- The strongest facilitator for VR adoption was support from leadership.
Takeaway
This study shows that using Virtual Reality can help older adults with dementia feel more connected and engaged, especially when staff and volunteers are well-trained.
Methodology
The study used electronic surveys and the RE-AIM framework to evaluate changes in VR skills and confidence before and after training.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from self-reported measures in surveys.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on community-based settings, which may limit generalizability to other environments.
Participant Demographics
Participants included staff and volunteers working with older adults with dementia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Statistical Significance
p=0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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