Virtual reality program to develop dementia‐friendly communities in Japan

Abstract

In Japan and other parts of the world, the increasing number of older people with dementia may contribute to ageism in the community, due to the general population's lack of awareness and knowledge of dementia. 1 Ageism is stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. 2 Age-based discrimination makes older adults feel vulnerable, like a minority group, and a burden on society. Therefore, it is important to develop a dementia-friendly community. Previous studies have reported inadequate levels of knowledge about dementia in the general population. 3,4 Raising social awareness of dementia is the basis for developing a

An Indonesian elderly with primary progressive aphasia and behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia: A case report and review article

“…Occupational therapy has a role in improving functional ability and independence by using a combined approach. The role of occupational therapy in Cognitive rehabilitation uses an individual-centred perspective approach, involving not only the patient but family and people around the patient [ 12 ].…”

“…Serotonin is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, an essential neurotransmitter in frontal subcortical pathways, and loss of serotonergic binding is documented in bvFTD [ 8 , 10 ]. Early case reports and case series studies using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (including fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine) have some efficacy in treating compulsion, hyperorality, depression, inappropriate sexual behavior, and disinhibition of patients with bvFTD [ 8 , 12 ]. There is limited evidence that antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram, or trazodone, are used to improve behavioral symptoms, including impulsivity, disinhibition, agitation/irritability, or compulsive behaviors [ 7 , 9 ].…”

Developing an Instructional Design-Based Dementia Education Program

“…This may be why many participants watched the video from that perspective. Some dementia education programs utilize virtual reality to facilitate understanding of the perspective of a person with dementia through vicarious experience (Sari et al, 2020). In the present education program, camera work from the perspective of the person with dementia hints about what their inner voice might be saying.…”

“…Several public dementia education programs that incorporate first-person experience and consideration of the feelings of PwD are currently in use. These include programs that encourage participation in community welfare initiatives and increase social activity to prevent dementia ( Imaoka et al, 2019 ); programs for community members, which promote understanding of dementia and consideration of the feelings of PwD ( Maruo & Kono, 2012 ); and programs enabling one to personally experience the perspective of someone with dementia through virtual reality ( Sari et al, 2020 ; Silver Wood Co., Ltd, 2020 ). However, there are limited examples of educational materials that confront the challenges of dementia in the context of community activities, that is, residents’ groups or residents’ organization initiatives.…”

“…Further, studies have verified the effects of dementia education programs using pre-post increases in knowledge (Imaoka et al, 2019;Matsuda et al, 2017) or changes in attitude toward dementia (Kim et al, 2011;Sari et al, 2020). Nevertheless, few have evaluated the impact of education programs qualitatively using participant learning.…”