Background
One of Denmark's major health challenges is dementia. A disease that affects an increasing number of Danes, and for which there is currently no cure or treatment. However, recalled memories and moods can positively stimulate a dementia’s ability to think and remember.
The company Khora Care is developing solutions that can stimulate senses and recall memories through virtual reality (VR). An example is a former church-choir singer who has regained the joy of standing in church and being part of a choir and community.
Khora Care is working intensively with the VR technology to improve and offer new opportunities for people with dementia who stay in own homes or care centres. And new solutions will be needed, because the estimated number of Danes with dementia over the age of 65 will double in the years up till 2040, and a significant overall increase in dementia is expected in the years to come. Studies show that 60% of dementia cases are undiagnosed which means that dementia is a common disease among the elderly.
Since no dementia treatment is available, competent and social care-work efforts are essential. Competent care can sustain a patient’s functional abilities as long as possible and increase the quality of life of the citizen and his/her relatives. Against this background, improved and cost-effective solutions are highly required.
Vision and Purpose
The process of recalling memories in people with dementia is a well-known and widely used social-scientific method and is called reminiscence. The memories recalled and revived are called triggers. By means of VR, Khora Care offers very strong visual triggers in a controlled environment through which the positive effect of reminiscence can be achieved.
It is Khora Care's vision to improve and provide new opportunities for a good life for the elderly. Khora Care ensures creativity and innovation by connecting the latest VR technology with expert knowledge and video specialists.
Activities in the Project
Service and product development
- Pilot testing of Khora Care at Hedensted Municipality
- Product and service customisation
- Uncovering the potential effects of VR on staff, relatives and citizens
- Establishing the necessary knowledge of new work flows with public partners
- MAST evaluation
Internationalization
- Strategy and activity planning
- Market validation and penetration into one or more markets
Expected Results
The effect of using reminiscence is not unambiguously scientifically documented, but is a widely used method and recognised by the Danish Dementia Research Centre and the Danish Health Authority. Therefore, there is currently no scientific evidence of the effect of reminiscence by using VR.
VR provides a very strong visual experience and the possibility of a controlled environment, and may thus pave the way for a specific and strong experience. A possible effect is that Khora Care through an increased sensory stimulation and recall of memory can help increase the positive effect of reminiscence.
Thus, with Khora Care, it is possible for immobile citizens, or citizens who react negatively to being moved from their habitual surroundings, to enjoy reminiscence.
One specific goal of the dementia plan is to reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs by 50% by 2025. This can only be achieved through increased care and social work activities, and precisely here, provided there is an effect in relation to sensory stimulation and reminiscence, Khora Care can be one of the solutions that can help achieve that goal.