Project Team
Students
Conner Delancey
Software Engineering
Penn State Behrend
Maura Wells
Computer Science
Penn State University Park
Faculty Mentors
Dr. Omar Ashour
Penn State Behrend
Industrial Engineering
Dr Christopher McComb
Penn State University Park
Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs
Project
Project Video
Project Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) creates a ‘near-reality’ experience by allowing humans to physically interact with computer-generated simulations of three-dimensional environments. This project aims to develop a VR app to mimic dementia-related symptoms (DRS). Understanding of the concepts behind different types of DRS is essential for all caregivers engaged in dementia-related work. The complexity of DRS is not easily understood by caregivers through second-hand experience and theoretical learning. Due to the caregivers’ difficulty of understanding such concepts, many caregivers lack essential management skills to handle patients with dementia. This leads to increased stress in caregivers, and in the worst-case scenario, preventable hospitalization. Our VR app simulates a typical home environment, and caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) complete daily tasks such as taking medication and making the bed while experiencing different DRS including tremors, memory loss, and difficulty with coordination and motor functions. This simulation allows the caregivers to experience some of the difficulties of PWD for themselves. The complexity and difficulty of dementia-related symptoms is an unchangeable factor; however, caregivers’ failure to understand various concepts may indicate that current teaching methods are ineffective. This novel app is an invaluable new teaching method because it allows caregivers to gain first-hand experience to improve the quality of care they provide for PWD. The expected outcomes of this research would be caregivers’ increased awareness, empathy, and understanding of dementia-related symptoms, which will result in lower stress and fewer hospitalizations.
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