VR-SIM Carers
Dementia Caregivers Skill Training through Virtual Reality Simulation (VR-SIM Carers)
About VR-SIM Carers
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), about 61% of Canadians living with dementia live at home rather than in long-term care institutions. Unpaid caregivers often bear the responsibility of caring for these persons with dementia without the benefit of formal training regarding the condition and how to provide proper care. Thus, they are more likely to face poor physical, mental, and social outcomes such as caregiver distress, anger or depression.​
“VR-SIM Carers” is a collaborative Research and Development initiative. Our aim is to co-design a virtual reality (VR) simulation training environment for dementia caregivers.
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Using person-centred co-design approach, end-user perspectives, as well as design and implementation challenges and opportunities, will be explored. This knowledge will be used to create a Virtual Reality prototype that is first and foremost, acceptable to our end-user. The prototype will also be tested to ensure that it is clinically efficacious and scalable.
This training environment will allow caregivers to become acquainted with the realities of caregiving while also safely practising communication and behavioural management for persons living with dementia. The virtual reality training program leverages principles and pillars used in an evidence-based group psychotherapy intervention called the Reitman Centre CARERS (Coaching, Advocacy, Respite, Education, Relationship, Simulation) Program.
Drs. Amer Burhan and Mary Chiu of Ontario Shores are leading the VR-SIM Carers initiative in collaboration with dementia caregivers, as well as researchers, innovators, and clinician-scientists from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Ontario Tech University, Baycrest Centre, Sinai Health System, and the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance.
This initiative is jointly funded by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and will take place over the next 3 years (2022–2025).
Objectives
To employ a co-design approach, with caregivers and interested parties
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To conduct evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of the virtual reality
simulation training platform.
To develop and validate an immersive virtual reality simulation training environment for
caregivers to persons with dementia.
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To conduct pilot testing to examine initial clinical efficacy of the virtual reality-based training.
