Virtual Reality Dementia
Training Breakthrough
What do you get
when you combine passion and experience? Something extraordinary, of course!
That is precisely what just happened with the partnership between a veteran
trainer, a cognitive health specialist, a dementia expert, and two
well-respected not-for-profit organizations.
The
answer: The first virtual reality dementia program combining skills training
with real-life obstacles in a virtual environment. The outcome is more
empathetic caregivers and happier, engaged patients.
Who
is behind the non-profit Dementia Reality®?
CJE SeniorLife and
Elderwerks Educational Services (Elderwerks) are dedicating their intellectual
and financial resources to make Dementia Reality® a program that benefits the
healthcare system, families, and patients with dementia.
CJE SeniorLife,
established in 1971, is a non-profit eldercare service provider of housing,
community-based resources, healthcare services, and applied research for senior
health. Headquartered in suburban Chicago, CJE SeniorLife benefits 20,000
caregivers and clients annually. It has extensive experience in
dementia-related programs and creating virtual reality experiences.
Elderwerks, also a
non-profit in suburban Chicago, was established in 2012. This social service
organization coordinates, advocates, and educates seniors and their families
about senior living and available resources. They are considered “senior
guidance advisors” and advise over 11,000 individuals per year. Elderwerks is
skilled in developing educational programs for professionals in aging services.
Catherine Samatas,
Director of Engagement and Innovative Programming at CJE SeniorLife who helped
develop Dementia Reality® says, “This project is a collaboration of many
talented people. Among the key contributors are Elderwerks’ Certified Dementia
Educator and Training Specialist Chris Petrik, and Sarah Cohen, a Cognitive
Health Specialist.”
What
is the Dementia Reality® difference?
The new
educational virtual model utilizes technology to immerse the attendees into the
dementia world to experience situations as a person with dementia and as a
third-party viewer watching the interaction between a person with dementia and
others. The program
helps people learn
empathy and connect the different pathways from logical understanding to
empathetic realization.
The series of
training sessions are supported in a teaching environment with master trainers
who have at least five years of experience with dementia training. In groups of
up to 10, trainees experience the real-world difficulties of having and caring
for people with dementia.
Each chapter opens
with a real-life situation in the virtual reality setting. The person-centered
focus is not only on the patient but also on the concerns of the caregivers.
Group discussions among the trainees and trainers are part of the overall
curriculum.
Once the first
six-hour course is completed, trainees are certified and awarded six continuing
educational units (CEU) hours towards the state’s mandates for caregivers.
According to
Elderwerks owner Jennifer Prell, “We are very excited about the advancement in
dementia training that Dementia Reality® brings to all those who want to learn
about and help those with dementia. Elderwerks’ education team is ready to move
forward with this new instructional model.”
Improving
employee longevity
Extreme worker
shortages have the healthcare system constantly struggling to recruit and
retain enough healthcare workers to meet escalating demand. One in six nursing
homes reports a shortage of nursing assistants. Sixty-four percent of new hires
in aging services turn over within the first six months of employment. High turnover
rates of nurses and CNAs in nursing homes cost upwards of 16% of the annual
salary to replace a lost employee.
According to Dan
Fagin, CEO of CJE Senior Life, “Excellent training can solve some of the
reasons for today’s work force shortage. Dementia Reality® brings training to
multiple senses 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.” He
continued, “CJE
has always been committed to serving older adults and with this new training we
expect to see exceptionally positive outcomes for both the trainees and the
patients they care for. We are gratified to fulfill our mission to serve
seniors with this outstanding program.”
Federal education
standards for caregivers changed from 75 to 120 hours with a stronger emphasis
on individuals with dementia. This new way of learning will help. However, many
current programs lack the multi-sensory and multi-layered teaching that exposes
the personal frustration caregivers can feel. Dementia Reality® provides the
knowledge and tools to overcome the stressors of caring for an older adult with
dementia and affords the confidence for employees to know and appreciate the
vital role they play in patients’ lives.
Preserving
patient dignity
Confusion,
phobias, and anxiety are common reactions in dementia patients. When this
occurs, injuries, hospitalizations, and increased psychotropic drug use can
result. The empathy training by Dementia Reality® reduces the negative interaction
incidents, and therefore, the patient’s dignity is preserved, even in personal
situations. The caregiver learns how to guide the patient with compassion and
patience to minimize anxiety and encourage peaceful consent.
The
Financial Gain
A silver lining to
this ground-breaking training is the effective cost savings it will bring to
the states, insurance companies, nursing homes, hospitals, and other
organizations. Less drug use, injuries, hospitalizations, fewer worker
compensation claims, and happier, more time-efficient caregivers reduce the
costs associated with dementia care.
Organizations can
access the Dementia Reality® instruction with a Master Dementia Training
Specialist and the programmed virtual reality goggles locally! The affordable
pricing allows organizations to benefit from comprehensive instruction, and
immersive empathy training at a rate competitive with less in-depth programs.
Where
to find out more
CJE SeniorLife and
Elderwerks announce the grand opening of their product launch on June 9th. To
attend, or learn more about Dementia Reality®, visit our website at
www.DementiaReality.org.