Abstract
Through virtual interaction and multivariate communication, the social interaction and life satisfaction of elderly people can be improved. This study integrated virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to construct a visualized reminiscence therapy system, which provides not only reminiscence entertainment but may also aid in dementia prevention for healthy and sub-healthy (a therapeutic working concept which defines an intermediate stage between health and disease) elderly people. Images taken by an LG 360 CAM are primarily introduced into Power Director 360 as the guide interface. The special effects are joined using After Effects. With the model constructed under 3ds Max, the reminiscence therapy system integrated by virtual reality and augmented reality is then established by the Unity engine. It is shown that the developed 3D ancient building model can be used by Samsung Note 5 smartphones as well as VR CASE glasses to increase the immersive experience for the elderly. Through nostalgic elements triggered by the AR/VR three-dimensional model and video/audio interaction, the feasibility of our integrated system for reminiscence therapy is thus verified. Through reminiscence therapy, memories and thoughts can fully be activated as a therapy for elderly people. The visualized reality system developed in this study can further promote the social interactional satisfaction of elderly people.
Highlights
Following a decline in Taiwan’s birth rate and the evolution of medical technology, the proportion of elderly people in the country has risen annually
Reminiscence therapy can be applied to alleviate weariness and meaninglessness related to aging in elderly people
This type of therapy stimulates elderly people to remember pleasant events. They can reconstruct their overall awareness of their life value, philosophy, and stories, thereby developing self-care, cognition, and social interaction abilities and adopting strategies to solve current problems
Summary
Following a decline in Taiwan’s birth rate and the evolution of medical technology, the proportion of elderly people in the country has risen annually. Jo et al [2] indicated that reminiscence therapy decelerates physiological and psychological deterioration caused by aging and enables elderly people to engage in interpersonal and social interactions through positive and active approaches. Through doing so, it improves their social behaviors and interpersonal relationships as well as delaying the regression of their cognitive, verbal, and communication skills. The present study examined the applicability of reminiscence therapy for improving cognition and social emotions in elderly people with dementia using nostalgic physical items, images, a video, and music as assistive devices. This study developed an AR interaction system that is intended to improve life satisfaction for elderly people through social interactions
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