Imagine an aged care facility, where a lifestyle coordinator can press a button and transport the residents at the nursing home to a new location! Fulfilling an individual’s need by going overseas, sitting amidst lush forests, or watching dairy cows come in for the afternoon milking, all from the comfort and safety of their armchair. Welcome to specialised therapy through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) for aged care activities.
This innovative approach is transforming the way we think about traditional aged care. It’s not just about managing health issues, it’s about enhancing the quality of life and mental wellbeing. With NeuronsVR therapy, the golden years can indeed be filled with engaging and meaningful activities.
In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating realm of this specific therapy for aged care, exploring its potential benefits, applications, and the future it holds.
Understanding how Therapy through VR enhances Aged Care Activities
The Basics of Virtual Reality Devices
Simply put, Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets are just a fancy TV Screen displaying a 360 photo or video. There are various types of VR headsets, from consumer level devices for kids to play games on, right up to enterprise versions for pilots learning how to fly a plane.
As it seals your view off from outside distractions, the technology can create an immersive environment, detaching you from the real world. The technology provides sound and video to make the experience feel as realistic as possible.
Potential in Aged Care
Switch now to NeuronsVR’s potential in aged care. It holds an unexpected but crucial role here. Its immersive experience offers elderly people and those living with Dementia, the chance to explore at their own comfort, thus motivating physical activity without a sense of exertion or tiredness. According to a 2016 study published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the use of therapy through VR can, notably, help mitigate symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by stimulating their minds and memory recall via a virtual walk down memory lane.
Moreover, therapy through VR can provide elderly people an escape from their physical limitations or boundaries of their care place. They can visit various locations, from their childhood home or a favourite vacation spot, without leaving the safety of their chair. Thus, this therapy, through the use of VR, caters not only to the physical realm but to the mental and emotional needs as well, enhancing overall health and well-being in aged care.
While remembering that NeuronsVR possesses the potential for great reward, it also brings up the importance of using approved therapy experiences and compliant VR headsets. It is critical the industry is educated in the understanding and use of VR. DIY (do-it-yourselfers) using generic VR devices and non-approved experiences have reported motion sickness, disorientation, headaches, trauma or psychological triggers during or after patient use of a VR headset. NeuronsVR therapy programs are specifically created for aged care and those living with dementia, going through a very strict approval process involving: Clinical Neuropsychologists, Gerontologists, Sound Therapists and other dementia specific experts.
Benefits of NeuronsVR Therapy in Aged Care
Optimising the advantages of NeuronsVR therapy in nursing homes promotes a multitude of health-enhancing prospects. Let’s explore these possibilities.
Cognitive Stimulation and Memory Support (Dementia)
Harness the power of NeuronsVR to reinforce cognitive abilities in seniors, through exposure to dynamic scenarios that stimulate the neurological pathways. Specially designed NeuronsVR activities can stimulate various brain functions, potentially mitigating cognitive decline. Research indicates that seniors experiencing dementia show improvements with regular NeuronsVR therapy sessions, signifying its potential utility in cognitive therapy. NeuronsVR thus serves as a viable tool in managing, and possibly slowing cognitive health concerns in the elderly.
Physical Rehabilitation and Exercise
NeuronsVR therapy in aged care isn’t limited to cognitive benefits. It’s also for facilitating movement and encouraging exercise. With specific experiences encouraging movement, occupational therapists and physiotherapists can monitor the residents / patients range of movement and group participation. As a result, NeuronsVR therapy assists the elderly in staying active and encouraging overall physical wellness.
Emotional Wellbeing and Social Engagement
Beyond physical and cognitive implications, NeuronsVR therapy fosters emotional health. Those in aged care often struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness; NeuronsVR therapy offers an antidote with tailored experiences fostering social connections. These therapeutic experiences allow seniors to explore various locations worldwide eliciting excitement and joy. Consequently, by enhancing emotional wellbeing and encouraging social participation. NeuronsVR therapy contributes significantly to the environment in Nursing Homes and Hospitals.
Case Studies: Successful outcomes in Aged Care & Memory Support after a NeuronsVR therapy session
Delving into the real-world cases of NeuronsVR therapy, let’s shed light on its accomplishments in enhancing aged care activities. Particularly, we’ll scrutinise the remarkable progress documented in those living with dementia.
Enhanced Quality of Life for those living with Dementia.
As an industry we are moving away from the word Sundowner. Simply put, those living with dementia that experience afternoon fatigue combined with an unmet need, either physical or psychological, can display behaviours that at times can be challenging to others.
Across the many nursing homes and acute dementia wards in Australia, NeuronsVR therapy sessions have shown outstanding increases in group participation in aged care activities. Carer’s that run regular therapy sessions for residents living with dementia have reduced negative behaviours, resulting in a calmer environment in the evenings. This has a flow on effect especially in acute hospital settings where often one patient’s behaviour can trigger another patient, resulting in pressure upon staff all at the same time.
The integration of NeuronsVR sessions in daily routine brings about a sense of meaningful engagement between staff and residents covering culture, hobbies, mindfulness and memory recall. Explicit instances include reminiscence therapy, triggering positive responses in those who live with dementia.
The Future of NeuronsVR Therapy in Aged Care Activities
Due to significant advancements and foreseeable potential, NeuronsVR therapy is surely becoming the future within aged care. Herein, we shed light on the promising innovations cropping up in the realm of the therapy and detail how the integration with activity planners and calendars is likely to further and refine enhance aged care practices.
Innovations on the Horizon
With recent changes to the aged care standards, infection control requirements and increased learnings within dementia, NeuronsVR is partnering in more clinical studies with universities and nursing homes across Australia.
Simultaneously, improvements are happening with NeuronsVR’s hardware and therapy library to enhance “next level” outcomes for residents and the carer’s.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, NeuronsVR therapy is not just a futuristic concept but a reality that’s transforming aged care activities today. It’s offering immersive experiences that stimulate the mind, promote physical health, and foster emotional wellbeing. NeuronsVR therapy is set to become an essential component of aged care, providing comprehensive solutions for the wellbeing of our elderly. It’s an exciting time in the realm of aged care, with NeuronsVR therapy leading the way to a future where aged care is not just about maintaining health but enhancing quality of life.
