- Older people long for a time when they were strong, healthy and could afford various activities that are now unavailable to them. I experienced VR technology myself by participating in a research project, and when I told my grandmother about it she said she would like to try it too. I immediately got the idea to make virtual reality accessible to the elderly. After all, using VR technology doesn't require a lot of effort on their part, and it can evoke the emotions and feelings they had when they were young. Competition, dexterity, beautiful views, dancing together, and all this takes place on a chair in a hospital room - Julia Osiecka wrote about her idea.
The winner's project is based on introducing seniors to the world of virtual reality and stimulating the patient's brain with appropriate, predetermined colors, images and activities. A MUW student would like to learn how this process affects the patient's psychomotor condition and how it can improve the quality of their health. - The benefits of this method are many. The elderly persons doesn't even know they are undergoing a treatment trial, they may not even notice changes in their behavior, they just get joy out of it. They will not hinder medical personnel who just want to help patients with a condition. The patient often rejects help, but when offered something attractive and different, may be very receptive to this form of therapy. Medical staff are already trying different activities for seniors, devoting a large amount of time. VR puts all of these attempts of therapy into one. It could be a completely innovative method, crossing out the problem of dementia once and for all - Julia pointed out in her idea. The use of VR technology by patients with dementia will be under the supervision of a psychologist.
The competition is international and parallel editions are held in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, the University of Washington in the USA and Brazil. The award is designed to honor individuals whose ideas enhance the prestige of the nursing profession and create conditions for lasting, positive change in health care. The competition is supported by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. The results are announced on December 23, on Her Majesty's birthday. - I would like to congratulate the hundreds of nursing students who took the time and effort to apply for this year's Queen Silvia Nursing Award. It is heartening to see the commitment and determination of so many talented nurses around the world to make a difference in the care of elderly patients with dementia. Your voices and ideas are exceptional and serve the development of elderly care system - said Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden as she announced the contest winners.