Dianis Wulan Sari1,2, Ayumi Igarashi1, Manami Takaoka1, Reiko Yamahana3, Maiko Noguchi-Watanabe1, Chie Teramoto4, Noriko Yamamoto-Mitani1. 1. Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. 2. Department of Community and Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. 3. Department of Gerontological and Home-care Nursing, Chiba Faculty of Nursing, Tokyo Health Care University, Chiba, Japan. 4. Department of Community Health Nursing, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Dementia-friendly communities promote community coherence and reduce the risk of ageism in the community. This study examined the effects of a Virtual Reality (VR) educational program on participants' attitudes towards dementia and their sense of community related to supporting community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We delivered an educational program using a virtual reality platform that provided a first-person perspective of people with dementia in the courtyards of two convenience stores in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. We investigated attitudes towards dementia and participants' sense of community before and after the educational program. RESULTS: There were 42 study participants (average age = 48 years). The total scores of attitudes towards dementia and sense of community changed positively from pre- to postintervention (P = .004 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This educational program for understanding dementia could enhance people's support of community members living with dementia.
OBJECTIVES:Dementia-friendly communities promote community coherence and reduce the risk of ageism in the community. This study examined the effects of a Virtual Reality (VR) educational program on participants' attitudes towards dementia and their sense of community related to supporting community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: We delivered an educational program using a virtual reality platform that provided a first-person perspective of people with dementia in the courtyards of two convenience stores in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. We investigated attitudes towards dementia and participants' sense of community before and after the educational program. RESULTS: There were 42 study participants (average age = 48 years). The total scores of attitudes towards dementia and sense of community changed positively from pre- to postintervention (P = .004 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This educational program for understanding dementia could enhance people's support of community members living with dementia.