In early 2022, Chantal Deruette, director of the Maison de la Sainte-Famille in Rouvroy (Belgium), visited Lumeen in search of innovative “gerontechnologies.” Located in the southern part of the Province of Luxembourg, this facility is part of the Association Chrétienne des Institutions Sociales et de Santé, which comprises 81 institutions in Care sector in Belgium and France. The Maison de la Sainte-Famille accommodates 100 residents under various housing arrangements: it has 74 so-called “MRS” (rest and care home) beds for residents with fairly severe medical conditions; 26 “MR” (rest home) beds for elderly people a lesser loss of independence; and an assisted living facility with 29 apartments for independent individuals over the age of 60.

Lumeen’s 21-day trial convinced residents and caregivers the value of virtual reality Headsets . This new collaboration marks the beginning of a journey for the institution that is as rewarding as it is unexpected—one that combines technological innovation, service to elderly people the Belgian Ambassador’s “favorite.”

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What role do virtual reality Headsets play virtual reality nursing homes?

A tool designed to help both residents and caregivers 

Physical therapists, speech-language pathologists (or orthophonists, in France), occupational therapists, and dietitians: all have been trained in its use. Most importantly, sessions have been offered to both residents and caregivers so that everyone can learn about and become familiar with the tool. Chantal Deruette explains that dedicated time slots were set aside so that staff members could also benefit from the experience. It was at that time, in fact, that a massage chair was also purchased, with the idea of combining the two devices. The goal was to offer genuine moments of relaxation and mental relaxation , “so that everyone can find a little moment of respite ” during their busy days, the Director explains.

The facility finally acquired three virtual reality Headsets virtual reality August 2022. Since then, physical therapists have been the primary users. One of them explains that virtual reality sessions virtual reality combined with physical exercises for residents with or without cognitive disorders. The applications, of course, vary depending on the individual’s needs, their condition, or the time available; sometimes the Headsets are offered Headsets at the end of a session, and sometimes they are used throughout the entire session. However, regardless of the option chosen, this new tool is used “as regularly as possible.” Very soon, it will be an educator’s turn to put the Headsets to use with residents who have more severe cognitive disorders.

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Calming, Stimulation, and reminiscence 

For the benefits observed are already numerous. The director of the Maison de la Sainte-Famille, a speech-language pathologist by profession, points to three major improvements observed among residents who participate in regular virtual reality sessions virtual reality a sense of calm, which is of course more noticeable among residents who are typically the most restless. In this regard, the underwater program stands out in particular! Notable progress has been observed in terms of spoken language: the immersive experiences offered spark discussions and exchanges, particularly when they evoke distant and happy memories. Chantal Deruette recalls an elderly resident who rejoiced: “I can finally travel like I used to with my husband, back in the good old days.” Finally, the Director notes “stimulation that is reflected in behavior,” with residents showing greater vitality.

These benefits are also reflected in the observations reported by one of the facility’s physical therapists. virtual reality sessions—which are most often offered as “comfort” care (for example, after successful physical exercise sessions)—have proven to be a “good way to escape” and relax for the residents. The reminiscence program is also widely used reminiscence people with cognitive disorders, as it allows them to revisit and explore places they know. The example of a resident suffering from short-term memory loss is telling: when she is invited to walk once again through the streets of the village where she grew up—a place she mentions regularly—" in that moment, you can see that she’s smiling, that she’s loving it, that she’s laughing, and that she’s bringing up memories on her own." 

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Belgian experts recognize the use of virtual reality benefit seniors  

The House of the Saint Family receives the “Ambassador’s Favorite” Award for her project with Lumeen 

                                                                                       © Editions de l’Avenir Presse SRL 

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In March 2022, the Fonds de l’Union belge decided to launch the first edition of its Innovation Award in partnership with the Île-de-France Gerontology Center (Gérond’if). Its objective is clear: to recognize nonprofit organizations that implement innovative initiatives aimed at combating isolation among elderly people contributing to the improvement of their care. The award also promises the winning organizations financial assistance for the acquisition of the technologies presented. This provided Chantal Deruette with the opportunity to submit a proposal for a project involving immersive workshops using the virtual reality system—stimulating and collaborative sessions designed to prevent the loss of independence. The jury consists of eight French and Belgian experts active in the field of gerontology. It is chaired by His Excellency Mr. François de Kerchove d’Exaerde, Belgian Ambassador to France.

A total of 13 projects will be presented, with 4 winners: a^1st,^2nd, and^3rd prize… as well as the “Ambassador’s Favorite” Award. The award was presented on July 6, 2022, at the Maison de la Sainte Famille and accepted by Chantal Deruette from the Ambassador himself. The awards ceremony took place at the Belgian Residence and also served as an opportunity to bring together several speakers for a high-level roundtable discussion. Project leaders were also invited to demonstrate the technological innovations on display; Headsets were made available to the audience and were even tested by the Ambassador himself!

Raising Awareness of virtual reality Its Benefits 

In Belgium, as in France, the use of virtual reality a non-drug therapeutic tool is sometimes met with a lack of understanding or misconceptions on the part of the public. Many people still view it solely as a form of entertainment and fail to recognize the added value it can offer to elderly people losing their independence or are dependent on others, to people with disabilities in improving the patient care experience in hospitals. The recognition awarded by the Belgian Ambassador and the Innovation Award is a valuable asset in this regard, helping to raise awareness of this tool and its potential benefits among stakeholders and partners.

Since she began using virtual reality Headsets at her facility, Chantal Deruette has organized various introductory and awareness-raising activities:  with residents’ families; during the facility’s open house on October 2, when the Headsets along with massage chairs—were made available to families; and through outreach to other directors within the nonprofit organization A.C.I.S., who were also able to familiarize themselves with the technology.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Maison de la Sainte Famille in Rouvroy, its staff, and its Director, Chantal Deruette, for their dedication, their trust, and the incredible initiatives they launched in 2022—initiatives that highlighted their work and their ongoing support for seniors—and which made it possible to place a Lumeen helmet in the hands of the Belgian Ambassador!

In 2023, the Maison de la Sainte Famille hopes to further diversify the use Headsets virtual reality Headsets virtual reality its facility: first, by expanding their use among individuals with cognitive disorders severe cognitive disorders ; and second, by making them available to residents participating in workshops or support groups, under the supervision of professionals. Lumeen will, of course, continue to support the facility throughout these various stages.

It’s worth noting here that we’re also working to expand our streaming video offerings and release new content every month, including by adding Belgian experiences and destinations to our catalog. In fact, since June 2022, the city of Bruges has been featured in the Getaway module through the video “The Beauty of the Middle Ages.”

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

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