It was at the beginning of the year 2022 that Chantal Deruette, director of the Maison de la Sainte-Famille in Rouvroy (Belgium), came to Lumeen in search of innovative “gerontechnologies”. Located in the south of the Province of Luxembourg, this establishment of the Christian Association of Social and Health Institutions, which brings together 81 institutions in the medical-social sector, in Belgium and France, is established. The Maison de la Sainte-Famille welcomes 100 residents, using various types of accommodation: it thus has 74 beds called “MRS” (nursing home), for residents with fairly serious pathologies; 26 “MR” beds (rest home), for elderly people with a lesser loss of autonomy; and a residential service center with 29 apartments, for autonomous people over 60 years old.

The 21-day trial offered by Lumeen that convinced residents and caregivers of the usefulness of virtual reality headsets. A new collaboration, marking, for the institution, the start of an adventure that is as rewarding as it is unexpected, where technological innovation, service to the elderly and “crush” of the Belgian Ambassador are combined.

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What place for virtual reality headsets in nursing homes (RMs)?

A tool at the service of residents and caregivers

Physiotherapists, speech therapists (or speech therapists, for France), occupational therapists, dietitians: all have been trained in their use. Above all, sessions were offered to residents and caregivers alike, so that everyone could discover and appropriate the tool. Chantal Deruette explains that dedicated time slots have been established so that staff members can also benefit from the experience. Moreover, it was at this time that a massage chair was also acquired, with the idea of combining these two devices. The objective was then to be able to offer real moments of physical and mental relaxation,” So that everyone can find a little moment of respite ” in intense days, specifies the Director.

The institution finally equipped itself with three virtual reality headsets in August 2022. Since then, it has been mainly used by physiotherapists. One of them explains to us that virtual reality sessions are combined with the physical exercises provided, for residents with or without cognitive disorders. The applications of course differ according to the needs of the person, their condition or even the time available; sometimes the helmets are only offered at the end of the session, sometimes they accompany the resident throughout the session. But, regardless of the preferred option, this new tool is being used.” as regularly as possible ”. Very soon, it will be the turn of an educator to use helmets, with residents with stronger cognitive disorders.

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Calming, Stimulating, and Reminiscent 

Because the benefits observed are already numerous. The director of the Maison de la Sainte-Famille, a speech pathologist/speech therapist by profession, mentions three major improvements perceived by residents who benefit from regular virtual reality sessions: an impression of calm, more noticeable of course among residents who are usually the most agitated. In this respect, the seabed program is particularly distinctive! Significant progress is being observed in terms of oral language: the immersive experiences offered provoke discussions and exchanges, especially when they evoke distant and happy memories. Chantal Deruette here remembers an elderly person who was delighted:” I can finally travel as I did with my husband, in a good time ”. Finally, the Director notes” a stimulation that has repercussions in behavior ”, greater vitality among residents.

These benefits are also reflected in the observations reported by one of the institution's physiotherapists. Virtual reality sessions, which are most often offered as “comfort” treatments - after successful physical exercise sessions for example -, are proving to be a “good way to get away” and relax for residents. The Reminiscence program is also used extensively for people with cognitive disabilities, as it allows them to review and explore places they know. The example of a resident suffering from short-term memory loss is evocative, when she is offered to walk the streets of her childhood village again, which she mentions regularly:” In the moment, we see that she has a smile, that she loves, that she laughs, that she evokes memories of herself ”.

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Recognition from Belgian experts for the use of virtual reality in the service of seniors  

The House of the Holy Family receives the “Ambassador's Coup de Coeur” Award for its project with Lumeen

© Editions de l'Avenir Presse SRL

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In March 2022, the Belgian Union Fund decided to launch, in partnership with the Gérontopôle Île-de-France Gérond'If, the first edition of its Innovation Prize. Its objective is clear: to promote non-profit structures that deploy innovative actions aimed at combating the isolation of elderly people and contributing to the improvement of their care. The prize also promises to the awarded structures financial assistance for the acquisition of the technologies presented. An opportunity for Chantal Deruette to submit a file the project of immersive workshops with the Lumeen virtual reality device, stimulating and collaborative, to prevent the loss of autonomy.” The jury brings together eight French and Belgian experts, actors in the field of gerontology. It is chaired by His Excellency Mr. François de Kerchove d'Exaerde, Ambassador of Belgium to France.

In total, 13 projects will be presented, for 4 winners: a 1^Er, a 2^D And a 3^E Prize... as well as an “Ambassador's favorite” award. An award awarded on July 6, 2022, at the Maison de la Sainte Famille and received by Chantal Deruette, from the Ambassador's own hands. The award ceremony is held at the Belgian Residence and is also an opportunity to bring together several speakers around a high-level round table. Project managers were also invited to demonstrate the technological innovations presented; Lumeen headsets were then made available to the assembly and could be tested by the Ambassador himself!

Promote virtual reality and its benefits 

In Belgium as in France, the use of virtual reality as a non-medicinal and therapeutic device sometimes suffers from a lack of knowledge or preconceived ideas on the part of the public. Many people still associate it with entertainment alone, and do not consider the added value that its use can have for elderly people with a loss of autonomy or dependent, people with disabilities or in improving care pathways in hospitals. The recognition awarded by the Belgian Ambassador and by the Innovation Prize is a valuable ally in this regard, to help make this tool and its potential benefits known to actors and partners.

Since deploying Lumeen virtual reality headsets in her establishment, Chantal Deruette has proposed various discovery and awareness-raising actions: with the families of residents, during the institution's open days on October 2, during which the helmets - such as the massage chairs - were made available to families, or even through a communication with the other directors of the ASBL A.C.I.S., who were able to also, get familiar with the device.

We would like to warmly thank the Maison de la Sainte Famille de Rouvroy, its teams and its Director, Chantal Deruette, for their commitment, their trust and for the incredible initiatives undertaken in 2022, which were able to highlight their work and the continuous support for seniors - and which made it possible to put a Lumeen helmet in the hands of the Belgian Ambassador!

In 2023, the Maison de la Sainte Famille hopes to further diversify the use of virtual reality headsets within its establishment: first, by increasing its use with people with greater cognitive disorders; second, to residents of workshops or discussion groups, supervised by professionals. Lumeen will of course be by his side throughout these various stages.

Let's note here, we are also working to expand our continuous video offer and offer new content every month, including by integrating Belgian experiences and places into our catalog. Since June 2022, the city of Bruges has also joined the Escape module, through the video “Beauty of the Middle Ages”.

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See also: a report by RTL Info Belgium in a nursing home in Écaussinnes:

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