Relias Learning’s “A Day in the Life of Henry: A Dementia Experience” was, like most of the healthcare education company’s products, created for professional caregivers. But the emotional impact was so pronounced that executives pondered an idea this summer: Make it available for everyone.
That decision was “a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Relias Chief Marketing Officer Alex Osadzinski told McKnight’s.
The course is designed to be taken in a virtual reality environment, and those interested in the VR version can see it via Google Cardboard for under $10.
“It’s mostly that this was too good of an asset to let sit,” Osadzinski said. “It might help some people and it can begin to socialize the idea of immersive content.”
The course “had direct emotional impact to the point of tears for some folks,” he said.
“The goal is to see the world through the eyes of Henry. You are trying to get through the day with your desires being met. It shows you how folks aren’t being mean or evil. It really hits you right in the gut.”
In one example, Henry is trying to do a jigsaw puzzle, but someone places a tray in front of him and he loses his puzzle piece. Such everyday frustrations for those with dementia give caregivers a new perspective, Osadzinski said.
From the August 01, 2018 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
