Reality Well

CJE SeniorLife and Elderwerks Partner with VR Vision Inc to Develop Dementia Care Training Program Using Virtual Reality Technology

CJE SeniorLife and Elderwerks Partner with VR Vision Inc to Develop Dementia Care Training Program Using Virtual Reality Technology

TORONTO, /PRNewswire/ - Chicago-based nonprofits CJE SeniorLife and Elderwerks Educational Services have partnered with Toronto-based virtual reality company VR Vision to launch Dementia Reality®, the first virtual reality dementia program that combines skills training with real-life obstacles in a virtual environment. Dementia Reality is a new educational tool for professionals caring for older adults with dementia. Tapping into the power of technology for training purposes, this program can benefit the healthcare system as well as older adults with dementia and their loved ones. The goal is to have more empathetic caregivers and happier, engaged clients.

"Dementia Reality brings multiple senses to training, which, as we have learned, is a far more effective way to train and engage employees, so they are confident and successful in their jobs," said Dan Fagin, CJE SeniorLife's President, and CEO. "CJE has always been committed to serving older adults and their families, and we expect to see exceptionally positive outcomes for both the trainees and the clients they care for with this new educational tool. We are thrilled to partner with VR Vision to help fulfill our mission of enhancing the quality of life of older adults through this outstanding program."

The new virtual educational model utilizes technology powered by VR Vision to immerse professional caregivers and better prepare them to help clients living with dementia. Through various courses, trainees experience first-person simulations by shadowing a caregiver and then seeing the same scenario from the perspective of an individual with dementia.

: University of Waterloo Prof Laura Middleton is passionate about Alzheimer’s research. She's helping those at home and in long-term care through an accessible healthy living program and virtual reality exercise game — uniquely suited to the restrictions of the pandemic: https://bit.ly/3ryg78A
VR Vision Inc / Reality Well Team in partnership with University of Waterloo: Pandemic highlights importance of supports for people with dementia
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A new healthy living program and a virtual reality exercise game will support people living with dementia at home and in long-term care.
Bringing the adventure indoors
As a complement to the healthy living program, Middleton has been working with Jen Boger and Shi Cao in Systems Engineering, Lora Giangregorio and Michael Barnett-Cowan in Kinesiology, trainees John Munoz, Chris Li, Samira Mehrabi, and Aysha Basharat, and an industry partner, VR Vision Inc / Reality Well

Pandemic highlights importance of supports for people with dementia | Waterloo News Laura Middleton became passionate about Alzheimer’s research after a much-loved aunt was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 47. Laura Middleton Professor, Faculty of Health > Alzheimer's Research “Her daughters were 12, 14 and 16, and she was my mom’s best friend, so it had a huge...