Amana Living: Non-Pharmacological Wound care | NeuronsVR
Amana Living: the farmer who felt no pain
At Amana Living’s Wearne House transition care service in Mandurah, NeuronsVR therapy helped a man in his mid-90s get through painful wound care without the strong opioids he disliked. His story is now shared across Amana Living, where NeuronsVR therapy sits within every home.
Neuropathic pain at every dressing change
He arrived at Wearne House after several months in hospital, with chronic wounds on both lower legs. Much of his pain was neuropathic, which is notoriously hard to manage. On his first day, standard wound care caused him so much pain that the team called his GP and arranged strong opioid analgesia.
It was a hard place to be for a stoic, independent man. As Site Manager Sharon Maitland puts it, “He wasn’t a chap to take any medication at all. He didn’t like taking tablets.”
A farmyard, a working dog, and no sign of pain
Before his next dressing change, the lifestyle coordinator introduced NeuronsVR therapy alongside his pain relief. She knew his life story: he had run the family winery. He chose a farmyard program with open pastures, sheds, cattle and a working dog. Once he had settled into it, the registered nurse began his wound care.
“He was so engaged. His head was moving around, he was smiling, he was reaching out for the dog, he was chuckling to himself. He didn’t show one sign of pain while his wound care was being carried out.”
— Sharon Maitland, Site Manager, Amana Living Wearne House
Care without the chemicals
NeuronsVR therapy became a regular part of his wound care, and the team reduced his reliance on opioids to get him through it. He received the care he needed while staying alert, comfortable and himself, without the drowsiness that so often comes with strong opioids.
“We just used it, and we didn’t need to give him the opiates.”
— Sharon Maitland
What his family remembered
He stayed at Wearne House for about three months before moving into permanent care, and sadly passed away a short time later. At Amana Living’s annual memorial service, his daughters chose not to speak about his life before care. They spoke about how thankful they were that he had NeuronsVR therapy at Wearne House.
Not a leisure activity. Therapy.
Sharon has since shared his story with service managers across Amana Living. NeuronsVR therapy now sits within every Amana Living home, supporting non-pharmacological care across the group every day. At Wearne House, the team uses it proactively, at the right time of day, rather than waiting until someone is already in pain or distressed.
“It’s not just a leisure activity. It’s therapy.”
— Sharon Maitland