Article by Lauren Elcesser, ElderLink, and Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2024 June)
It can be hard to understand the difficulties and frustrations of older adults, even for those who work with older people, or are a caregiver, family member, or friend of an older adult. However, a new initiative is working to change that by allowing participants to “see through the eyes” of older adults to better understand what it is like for them while they encounter various challenges in daily life. Exploring the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality is a training series offered and facilitated by ElderLink, a partnership program between the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and Inova.
The free 75-minute facilitated virtual sessions are held via Microsoft Teams and utilize virtual reality simulations developed by Embodied Labs to highlight challenges commonly faced by older adults. Topics include how social isolation impacts an older adult, learning about the early signs and progression of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, how to navigate caregiver burnout, how to support someone with PTSD, de-escalation techniques and more.
The Frank Lab focuses on social isolation and its impact on older adults and consists of three modules – Recognizing Common Causes of Social Isolation, Identifying the Consequences of Isolation, and Creating Communities of Supportive Connection. While experiencing the Frank Lab, participants embody Frank, a 72-year-old man whose wife recently passed away. During the modules, participants experience the destructive impacts of social isolation through Frank’s eyes and learn how it can overlap with loneliness, poor family relationships, and health. Later, while embodying Frank, participants witness how Frank can have better health, more rewarding relationships, and find purpose again when offered proper support.
Attendees are requested to complete a brief electronic pre and post survey so ElderLink can best evaluate the program’s impact. Some of the statements they are asked to respond to include:
“I am confident in my ability to recognize the signs of social isolation in Older Adults.”
- On a scale from 1-10 where 1= “Not confident” and 10= “Very confident,” the average pre-survey response was 5.5 and the average post-survey response was 8.7.
- Pre to post survey results indicate a 58.2% increase in confidence in participant’s ability to recognize the signs of social isolation in older adults.
“Social isolation can strongly affect an older adult’s physical health/wellness.”
- On a scale from 1-10 where 1= “Strongly disagree” and 10= “Strongly agree,” the average pre-survey response was 8.8 and the average post-survey response was 10.0.
- Pre to post survey results indicate a 13.7% increase in understanding social isolation’s impact to older adult’s physical health/wellness.
“I feel confident that I can take action personally or in my community to reduce social isolation for older adults.”
- On a scale from 1-10 where 1= “Not confident” and 10= “Very confident,” the average pre-survey response was 6.3 and the average post-survey response was 9.2.
- Pre to post survey results indicate a 46% increase in confidence in taking action personally or in their community to reduce social isolation for older adults.
The Frank Lab has been provided to human service workers, family caregivers, community members with a vested interest in the needs of older adults, and medical professionals.
One hundred percent of The Frank Lab trainees shared that they are “Very likely” to recommend Exploring Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality: The Frank Lab based on their training experience.
Participants provided the following comments regarding how the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality: The Frank Lab, made a positive impact on them:
- “It was a wonderful training. I really got a different perspective and made me appreciate even more the importance of looking at social isolation when speaking with clients and even family members.”
- “It reminded me (of) the importance of one-on-one connection and asking the right questions. Addressing one item at a time.”
- “It highlighted techniques I can apply in current situations.”
- “I thought the virtual experience was quite effective.”
- “It reinforced the fact that older adult are underserved.”
- “More empathetic and understanding of the changes that aging has on people and how small incidents can snowball.”
- “Gave a real sense of the loneliness and isolation an older adult in Frank's circumstances might feel.”
- “I am more aware of what my family member experiences and how I can better help.”
Register online for Exploring Dimensions of Aging Labs at tinyurl.com/exploring-aging.
To inquire about a private training session for a community organization, please contact Deme
Warner, 703-237-6027, Demetra.Warner@fairfaxcounty.gov.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).