There’s been a lot in the news about the amazing benefits of VR for people with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other similar conditions featuring memory loss. Scientists have also found an unexpected use for virtual reality headsets in helping identify people who may later develop Alzheimer’s disease.
This BBC video in particular has been really popular. An NHS pilot is seeing if VR could improve the lives of people with dementia, by taking them back in time to relive formative experiences…
Watch more below or if this video doesn’t work – click here!
It’s so odd at first, this mix of our elderly with such early innovative tech. Yet the research is coming back overwhelmingly positive and beneficial. Recently I met with Rosie Collins from The Fred Company and talked about her VR project within dementia.
We’ve begun trials using Virtual Reality experiences with the Haiderian Medical Centre in Romford, Essex, as part of their regular social events for older patients. It is being enthusiastically received and we’re building a formal programme to roll out across different surgeries across the south east and beyond, with a particular focus on dementia sufferers and their carers.
This is also forming part of a larger thematic analysis we are running over various pilots, exploring the use of VR in vulnerable, isolated or traumatised communities .
This year VR therapies also began working with Age UK across Northamptonshire. Here’s a little video about how we are helping people with dementia.
Our dementia specific VR therapies are developing and improving every week. It’s great to be making and working with so many amazing connections through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (please do get in touch!).
I recently met with Samsung, who are specifically interested in the growing research of VR therapies for their life insurance. So these two lovely gentlemen flew over from South Korea to discuss the benefits of VR within dementia!
P.S The photos show both their presentation and their presents – I’ve never had sweets from Korea so this was another lovely surprise.
I will also soon be releasing news about our collaboration with the University of Northampton and the amazing support of Iain Douglas to develop our first app.
I’ve been so busy I don’t even have time to get started on the amazing developments for our first VR therapies centre – make sure to follow us on all the social media for the latest updates!
I’ll leave with one of my favourite posts. I’m so lucky to be a part of this moment for so many people.
