Virtual reality to provide caregiver skill development and problem solving

Abstract

Background:Caring for persons with dementia (PWD) leads to disproportionate vulnerability to physical, mental, and social adverse health consequences among caregivers (CGs). The VR-SIMS CARERS Initiative aims to engage Knowledge Users (KUs), older adults and community stakeholders in the co-design of a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation training environment for dementia caregivers, and to explore end-user’s perspectives, design and implementation challenges and opportunities (e.g. digital literacy, technology readiness, VR acceptability), to ensure that the resulting “Minimally Viable Prototype” is clinically efficacious, scalable and sustainable.Objectives & Methodology:The specific objectives of this study are to: 1.employ a co-design approach to develop and validate an immersive VR simulation training environment for CGs to be in touch with realities of caregiving, practice communications and behavioural management of PWD based on the well-established CARERS Program;2.to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, tolerability informed by VR-CORE Framework and Hybrid development-implementation design, and to explore issues around implementation of the VR simulation training platform; and3.to conduct pilot testing to examine a) initial clinical efficacy of VR-based CG training in improving quality of relationship with PWD, competence, resilience, and reducing depression and stress in dementia CGs and its b) readiness for implementation in the community.Anticipated Outcomes:VR-SIMS CARERS innovation is intended to be an accessible, scalable and sustainable VR simulation training platform that will support CGs in the practice and acquisition of essential dementia caregiving skills, enhancing their caregiving competence and resilience. Training CGs to recognize and manage stressors can lower their risk of overall mental health decline.