Using Virtual Reality to Foster Empathy in Dementia Care

At an aging conference two years ago, Professor Li-Mei Chen experienced firsthand the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology to deepen understanding of dementia. Donning a VR headset, she was transported into the disoriented mind of a person with dementia. The simulation portrayed her as an elderly individual trapped in delusions—standing in a hallway with the floor vanishing beneath her, water rising around her, and feeling an overwhelming sense of panic despite no real flooding occurring. Chen vividly recalled the emotional impact, recognizing how such immersive experiences could transform caregiver perspectives.

Chen, an assistant professor at George Mason University's College of Public Health, specializes in aging and dementia. She envisioned VR as a tool that could offer nursing home staff a glimpse into the world of their patients, fostering empathy and improving care. Collaborating with Japanese company Jolly Good Inc., she adapted VR scenarios for use in the United States, launching a pilot program this spring in a Northern Virginia nursing home. The program combined immersive VR simulations with online learning modules and group discussions.

Participants trained in VR experienced scenarios simulating dementia symptoms—such as a woman recognizing her pajamas but not her surroundings, expressing confusion and searching for her husband. The VR footage, originally produced in Japan and enhanced with AI-generated voiceovers in English, aimed to let caregivers see through the eyes of dementia patients.

Beyond enhancing patient care, the initiative seeks to support caregivers, a profession marked by high turnover rates, low wages, and limited training. In the U.S., nursing homes face an estimated 53% annual staff turnover, exacerbating recruitment challenges amid rising demand for elder care. Chen emphasizes that nursing assistants (CNAs), despite performing demanding roles, are often undervalued and undertrained. She advocates for investments in training tools like VR to bolster caregiver understanding and job satisfaction.

The pilot involved CNAs speaking English as a second language, yet they found the VR scenarios highly relatable, with many noting they had encountered similar situations in their work. Such feedback provides validation and a sense of connection to dementia care. Chen plans to develop more VR content tailored to American care settings and in English, aiming to make the training more accessible.

Chen regards VR as one component of holistic, relationship-centered care—focused on empathy, trust, and genuine human connection. She believes that understanding the person behind the dementia symptoms is vital for meaningful care, and VR can be a valuable tool in achieving that understanding.

Future plans include analyzing feedback from participants and expanding the program to more facilities, with findings to be presented at the American Public Health Association conference in November. Ultimately, Chen envisions VR as an aid to support compassionate training, fostering better relationships between caregivers and those with dementia.