Catherine Gianaro, a freelance writer and editor based in Chicago, has written about healthcare and higher education for more than two decades. With 90-plus awards in communications, she is well-versed in storytelling.
Fact checked by Ros Lederman
Virtual reality (VR) dementia simulations — offered through headsets at some care facilities, hospitals, and training centers — immerse users in the disorienting, often frustrating world that people with memory loss experience. As participants attempt to perform simple tasks amidst flickering lights, garbled instructions, or background noise that mimics auditory hallucinations, finding the bathroom or recognizing a loved one becomes overwhelming.
In one multi-year study, researchers from Stanford University analyzed the simulations in 16 senior communities across 10 states. They found that virtual reality helped caregivers and care recipients bond, with 9 in 10 caregivers reporting that the programs helped improve their relationships with care recipients.
The simulations offer caregivers insight into the confusion, fear, and sensory overload their loved ones may feel. Research shows this deeper understanding improves caregiving skills, reduces frustration, and increases compassion.
“The VR experience gave me insight as to what my father may be experiencing in ways I hadn’t thought of before,” says Sarah Sullivan of Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. “The VR showed how something like a dark rug could look like a gaping hole in the floor to someone with dementia. It helped us understand why he might avoid certain areas or get anxious.”
Sullivan experienced dementia and VR training alongside her 14-year-old son at the adult daycare program her father attends. She calls the experience “eye-opening.”
By providing a glimpse into another person’s reality, VR empowers caregivers with confidence, resiliency, and empathy.
