Virtual Reality pilot project team

Scott Stewart, Brenda Neuman, Claudine Markoja, Joyce Chow, Eudora Chan, Micah Ruado

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, staff at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre looked into new and creative ways to keep residents and patients engaged. Social work and recreation therapy staff worked together on a virtual reality pilot project to facilitate resident socialization and stimulation throughout the complex care and long-term care programs. Their persistence and collaboration paid off with successful implementation of the project in August 2021.

Through the virtual reality pilot project, residents have access to experiences that were never before possible. Its success was secured through the team’s connections with valuable external partners such as the Covenant Foundation, which funded the project. It also engaged support from telecommunications, infection prevention and control, unit management and site and senior leadership.

User data confirms the success of the project, with more than 95 per cent of the VR sessions providing “excellent” or “good” resident participation and engagement, while more than 70 per cent of the sessions have improved resident mood. The overall success of this project will hopefully empower other Covenant family sites to consider innovative technologies when serving long-term care clientele, knowing that strong, collaborative interdisciplinary teams can accomplish much, even during trying times.