Page 3 - Colours of Cranbrook Summer 2018 Newsletter

3 COLOURS OF CRANBROOK, SUMMER 2018

Virtual Reality Robots

The power of virtual reality has made an The technological magic of intelligent assistive
impression on aged care residents in many ways. robotics in residential aged care is also gradually
This is currently being used with those who have being integrated into the scene. This technology
Dementia and those with mobility and health can utilise the power of the mind and human
issues. Using a smart phone, goggles and bluetooth biological signals to control technology and to
headphones, it brings a 360-degree absorbing be of use with residents. The robots are designed
experience to the residents. Experiences such as to respond to the resident’s verbal and physical
travel, adventure, aquatics, concerts and theatrical behaviour and help to maintain and improve their
performances can be experienced from the comfort cognitive awareness, building trust and calmness
of lounge rooms. Virtual reality is the way of the when staff and family are not there. The robotic
future and a manner in which residents can relive technology can seize and store information about
old memories. For residents living with Dementia, a person (with Dementia) and whose memory has
virtual reality technology provides opportunities to gone, so that the robot can use this information to
reminisce and communicate. Staff can work with converse with the resident. The robot won’t mind
families of the residents to help choose experiences if it has had the same conversation five times in the
they may enjoy. Staff and families can enjoy last five minutes or five visits. Residential aged care
the virtual reality experience by simultaneously homes will continue to become more integrated
watching on a tablet what the resident is with technology, and the facilities of tomorrow will
experiencing, which provides an opportunity for look quite different.
sharing responses and enjoyment.

From cutting edge sensors and aids to living, such as fall detectors, to virtual reality and smartphone apps,
these technological initiatives show us that technology has come a long way in the aged care sector and
is showing huge potential to improve the quality of care delivered to older Australians. In our own Cranbrook
Care Residences, we have award-winning technology such as Samsung tablets (helping families connect
remotely to their families via Skype etc), access to wi-fi throughout most residences, nurse-call phones
(Aptus) and intercom phones (ABB) to name a few. The focus on new technologies is to produce outcomes
such as independence and re-ablement, workforce efficiency, quality of life and ageing well. No doubt,
despite the technology, there is no real substitute for human interaction and care, which is still vital in the
Aged Care sector.