Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) present significant challenges to formal caregivers in long-term care (LTC) facilities, increasing stress and potentially diminishing care quality. This study aimed to develop and preliminarily evaluate a Virtual reality (VR) educational program designed specifically for formal caregivers of residents with dementia in care home and assess the feasibility of the intervention. The development phase involved a systematic literature review and four focus group interviews with formal caregivers, followed by pilot testing and refinement at a residential facility in Northern Taiwan. During this phase, six VR scenarios were created and filmed, depicting typical challenging behaviors of residents with dementia, including overeating, inappropriate sexual behavior, physical aggression, verbal aggression, care resistance, and wandering. The 2-hour VR Educational Program included a 40-minute virtual reality case experience, a 30-minute group feedback session, a 30-minute Functional Analysis demonstration, and a 20-minute practice session on extending daily care plans. Measurement tools included demographic questionnaires, the Chinese Interpersonal Reactivity Index (C-IRI), and the Dementia Competence Scale (DCS), assessing knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Linear mixed model (LMM) analysis indicated no significant improvement in empathy at any post-intervention point. However, the knowledge subscale showed significant increases immediately after the intervention, and attitudes and skills demonstrated significant improvements one week later. These preliminary findings suggest the potential effectiveness and feasibility of the VR simulation training program in LTC facilities. Future research should expand the sample size and test the program across various dementia care settings to confirm its effectiveness.

Authors:
Yi-Heng Chen, Mackay Medical College, Taiwan
Aria S. Y. Chang, Mackay Medical College, Taiwan
Tzu-Hsuan Lee, Taiwan Professional Society of Long-Term Care, Taiwan
Yen-Ling Lee, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Yi Heng Chen holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, specializing in long-term care, dementia, and elderly care.

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