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Virtual reality program to develop dementia‐friendly communities in Japan
Author(s) -
Sari Dianis Wulan,
Igarashi Ayumi,
Takaoka Manami,
Yamahana Reiko,
NoguchiWatanabe Maiko,
Teramoto Chie,
YamamotoMitani Noriko
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12797
Subject(s) - dementia , metropolitan area , gerontology , virtual reality , psychology , medicine , computer science , disease , pathology , artificial intelligence
Objectives Dementia‐friendly communities promote community coherence and reduce the risk of ageism in the community. This study examined the effects of a Virtual Reality (VR) educational program on participants' attitudes towards dementia and their sense of community related to supporting community‐dwelling older adults. Methods We delivered an educational program using a virtual reality platform that provided a first‐person perspective of people with dementia in the courtyards of two convenience stores in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. We investigated attitudes towards dementia and participants' sense of community before and after the educational program. Results There were 42 study participants (average age = 48 years). The total scores of attitudes towards dementia and sense of community changed positively from pre‐ to postintervention ( P = .004 and <.001, respectively). Conclusion This educational program for understanding dementia could enhance people's support of community members living with dementia.