Bethany Care Society and Kaleidoscope XR have spearheaded the development of a pioneering social learning platform that will enhance healthcare education and training through immersive virtual reality (VR).

Caregiver VR is a simulation platform that includes virtual dementia experiences to better prepare healthcare professionals and students for work in the continuing care landscape.

“We wanted to improve our dementia training programs but faced two key challenges: limited space for traditional sessions and the difficulty of releasing multiple healthcare workers from various sites across Alberta from their caregiving duties,” explains Steve Friesen, Bethany’s Executive Director for Research and Innovation.

Working in partnership with Kaleidoscope XR, Bethany created a more accessible and immersive training approach to accommodate our staff’s busy schedules and ensure they receive the coaching and mentoring necessary for their roles.

With funding from Alberta Health for Palliative Care and End of Life initiatives, the Caregiver VR experience is helping trainees understand dementia symptoms like visual and auditory hallucinations.

“Bethany’s innovative use of virtual reality training reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of healthcare education and service delivery,” says Friesen.