A study by the University of Kent in the UK found that virtual reality can help people with dementia remember old memories better and improve language and thinking skills, which can get worse because of Alzheimer’s.
At a panel at SXSW in Austin, Texas, researchers said that virtual reality can help fight feelings of being alone and lonely, which are two main things linked to Alzheimer’s.
According to a study by the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, being alone and feeling lonely among older people are linked to a 50% higher chance of getting dementia.
Doctors can use virtual reality to watch how people with dementia act when they do different activities and play games. This helps doctors understand their health better.
Here are three ways virtual reality can help people with dementia:
Avoid Loneliness and Social Isolation
Many older people feel lonely and isolated because of different reasons. Some live alone in their homes or care centers, away from family and friends. Others lose their husband or wife, or they can’t go out because they’re sick or have trouble moving because of an illness or disability.
Feeling lonely and isolated can make older adults more likely to get dementia, according to a report from 2020. A group called AARP Innovation Lab made an app called Alcove to help seniors with dementia feel less lonely.
The app is like a virtual home where you can do lots of things. You can play games, travel to different places, talk to your family and friends, do exercises, change things in your virtual home, and relax. You also have a pet rabbit to play with.
Virtual Reality Promotes Wellness Among Dementia Patients
New research from York University, shared in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, suggests that virtual reality (VR) therapy could help older adults with dementia feel better and manage their symptoms.
Here are the main things they found:
1. VR therapy can make older adults with dementia feel better and help manage their symptoms.
2. It can also help with problems like feeling uninterested or acting aggressively in people with dementia and memory problems.
3. VR therapy can make life better for people with dementia who can’t leave their hospital room because they have trouble moving. It does this by letting them feel like they’re in nature.
4. VR therapy also has a good effect on the family, caregivers, and hospital staff who take care of people with dementia.
5. Even people who usually don’t talk much or respond well showed improvement after doing VR therapy. They became more lively, laughed, and joked around, especially when they saw natural scenes or remembered places from their past.
Virtual Reality Stimulates Memory in Dementia Patients
Dementia often causes memory loss, making it hard for patients to do daily tasks. A new study found that using virtual reality can help them remember old memories.
In the study, patients tried five different virtual places: a cathedral, a forest, a sandy beach, a rocky beach, and the countryside. They remembered things from past trips, like seeing a bridge, when they were in these virtual places.
Caregivers also said their relationship with the patients got better after using virtual reality.
Can Older Adults Use Virtual Reality? Yes, seniors can use virtual reality to do many things like socializing, trying new activities, and visiting different places without leaving home. Virtual reality can be fun, help reduce physical pain by keeping your mind busy, and even improve how well you pay attention and remember things.
Can Virtual Reality Help People with Dementia? Yes, studies show that virtual reality can help dementia patients feel less anxious and sad. For example, a study at the University of Kent found that virtual reality can help dementia patients remember things better, be less aggressive, and get along better with the people taking care of them.
Can You Play Virtual Reality Games in a Wheelchair? Absolutely! There are lots of games and experiences you can enjoy while sitting in a wheelchair using virtual reality. You can change the settings to fit your needs and pick games where you don’t have to move around a lot. Virtual reality lets people in wheelchairs explore cool places and do fun things without having to stand up.
