Research and Innovations Homepage
Digital Literacy
The Digital Literacy for Seniors project was funded through the New Horizons for Seniors Program and the LTC+ seed funding offered through the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement. It focused on supporting seniors during this time of social distancing and self-isolation. Through this project, the Loch Lomond Villa will piloted a hybrid remote and in-person learning model for seniors in the community. The aim of the program was to enhance digital literacy (the skills and knowledge needed to use technology such as tablets, phones, and computers) among seniors in the community to ensure the accessibility of virtual tools that help to prevent social isolation, assist seniors is performing daily tasks, and promote community connection. The program was delivered through a combination of one-on-one phone sessions, facilitated remote group tutorials and practice sessions, and by providing an educational resource in the form of a workbook. Providing opportunities for seniors to engage in the virtual world is always important, but now more than ever, is an essential piece in keeping people connected.
Volunteers in this program have been trained and certified through Connected Canadians.
To obtain a FREE Digital Literacy manual, that can help you or your loved one navigate your technology, click here.
To view a full report from this project, click here.
Personhood for Residents with Dementia
The personhood project involved the development of personhood kits that were originally created for residents living with dementia or Alzheimer’s on Cedar House. This research was done in collaboration with researcher, Molly McGovern and was jointly funded by the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation and the Centre for Brain Health and Innovation. These kits were designed to help facilitate personhood for residents with advanced dementia. The research involved collaboration with family and staff to design kits that contained materials related to the residents’ life experiences. Each resident received a kit that was curated based on the resident’s unique identity and significant moments in their life. Personhood kits can now be created for new residents coming to stay with us. Personhood kits are an important way we are embracing Loch Lomond Villa’s person centred philosophy.
Information about the personhood project can be found here.
A full report can be accessed here.
ABBY
With funding provided by the Centre for Brain Health and Innovation, and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, we studied a screen-based technology called ABBY in Cedar house and Willow house. The ABBYs were developed by Ambient Activity. Family members provided family photographs, favourite music, and videos displayed on wall-mounted ABBY screens for each resident. We aimed to determine if ABBY would help reduce responsive behaviours, increase satisfaction among family members during visits, and provide staff with a tool they could use while caring for residents with dementia or alzheimers. ABBY brought joy to residents, family members, and staff. After six months of use, more residents were participating in recreational activities without being prompted by staff or family members. Sixty percent of family members said their satisfaction with visits increased with ABBY. Reviewing photos and videos with their loved ones allowed them to reminisce about the special life they have lived together and to continue the journey. There are currently 2 ABBYs on Cedar house, and one on Willow house. New residents are able to have their personalized content uploaded so they can benefit from these therapeutic devices.
Click here to learn more about this research.
A manuscript is currently being prepared for this study. Stay tuned!
3D/VR
With funding provided by the Centre for Brain Health and Innovation, and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, we tested a virtual reality program for seniors produced by 3Scape Systems for residents living on Birch and Elm house. The virtual reality movies were high-quality, 3D images with colours and sound adjusted for seniors. Each movie was about 20 minutes long, and used storytelling techniques to provide positive, realistic experiences. Seniors’ cognitive scores generally improved after the study finished, suggesting that the 3D videos had a positive effect. Most seniors enjoyed watching the movies and reminiscing. Negative behaviours and moods decreased significantly after each viewing. Residents on the Villa side can still utilize the technology as part of their regular therapeutic programming.
Click here to learn more about this research.
A manuscript is currently being prepared for this study. Stay tuned!
Routinify
This research, funded by the Centre for Brain Health Innovation and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, was done to evaluate the effectiveness of an app-based platform designed to help aging adults to maintain their independence and remain in their homes through implementing and maintaining healthy routines. The technology, developed by Routinify, prompts individuals for reminders such as appointments and medications to regain healthy routines and contains a check in feature that is accessible to family caregivers. The goal was to examine if there are positive impacts, both physically as well as socially, to this platform for aging adults and their caregivers.
Click here to learn more about this research.
De-prescribing Anti-psychotic Medication
Antipsychotic medication is often prescribed to people diagnosed with dementia to help mitigate responsive behaviours, but this approach is not always appropriate. Loch Lomond Villa, with support from the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, sought to reduce the amount of inappropriate antipsychotic medications being prescribed to residents. We employed a Quality Improvement approach to develop a model for decreasing antipsychotic medication use among residents who do not require it, and would benefit from non-medicinal strategies to manage responsive behaviors. Early success was evident, and the programs continues to be implemented at Loch Lomond Villa today,
Click here to learn more about this research.
