Marking International Day of Education
With this week marking the International Day of Education on 24 January, Rowcroft Hospice is proud to showcase the transformative power of learning in improving end-of-life care. One inspiring example is an innovative augmented reality (AR) project at Pendennis Care Home in Paignton, developed by Care Home Assistant Dominic Sojin Pinhero with the support of Rowcroft Hospice’s Education Team. Residents of the home, many of whom are living with dementia, are being supported by the staff to have immersive virtual experiences through the power of digital apps and a mobile phone installed in a headset. Residents can be digitally transported to their favourite places from their past or to new places they would love to visit. As well as seeing places that bring them comfort, they can choose to encounter virtually their favourite activities, enabling them to experience things they are afraid of or unable to do in real life, such as skydiving, going on a rollercoaster ride, attending events or reliving video memories.
Developing the project
Pendennis Care Home Assistant Dominic Sojin Pinhero developed the project as part of an end-of-life care ambassadors programme at Rowcroft Hospice. Designed for local health and social care staff, the course aims to improve and influence end-of-life care in participants’ healthcare settings. The taught programme shares knowledge and best practice in end-of-life care, including how to support people’s emotional needs and help fulfil final wishes, with each ambassador developing their own project to enhance the care at their individual workplace.
“With the support of the hospice, I developed an augmented reality initiative for care home residents who are living with dementia, helping them to step away from their illness for a short while by transporting them to meaningful places,” explains Dominic. “Through AR, residents can visit the places they love from the comfort and safety of their armchairs. They can kayak along rivers, hike in the mountains, cross the sea on a boat or revisit places that hold a special meaning in their lives, rekindling long-term memories of happy times gone by. The residents love it. It’s like magic, transporting them to another world, and enabling them to relive moments that bring happiness.
“One resident travelled back to Dubai; another revisited the Vatican and experienced memories from years ago; and another resident explored the Pyramids in Egypt – a place she had always wanted to see again. It’s been incredible to see the delight this brings. Some residents are so thrilled that they are moved to tears.”
The benefits of AR in end-of-life care go beyond fulfilling dreams. AR helps to reduce feelings of isolation, enhances emotional well-being, and can even serve as a tool for pain management by immersing residents in calm and peaceful environments.
Reflecting on the support from Rowcroft Hospice
Dominic shares: “The mentoring and guidance that I’ve received from Rowcroft has been instrumental in developing the project. Rowcroft’s ambassador course has helped me to feel equipped to deliver good quality care to those who need it at end of life, and to support our residents to live their last moments in the best way possible. Before joining Rowcroft’s ambassador course, I found it difficult to even think about end-of-life care.”
Rowcroft’s end-of-life care ambassadors programme is run for professionals in health and social care roles and aims to improve and influence end-of-life care in local settings including the NHS, care homes and hospices. It includes five study days focusing on the priorities of care for those at the end of life.
“Our ambassadors inspire others to improve, achieve, to be active change agents and to champion great end-of-life care in our locality,” said Rowcroft’s Education Facilitator Catherine Hughes who mentored Dominic while on the course. “It’s fantastic to see Dominic’s augmented reality project bear fruit in the Pendennis Care Home. It’s a wonderful example of how technology can be used to enhance people’s experiences at end of life.”
Pendennis Care Home Manager, Sam Ebden, also shared her thoughts on the impact of the AR initiative:
“This AR project has been a revelation for our residents. Watching them light up as they ‘travel’ to meaningful places is truly heartwarming. It has enriched their lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined and has given our team a new perspective on the potential of technology in care. We’re using the technology too for residents who aren’t at end of life. It’s absolutely wonderful.
“The support from Rowcroft has been so valuable. The end-of-life care ambassadors programme helps to instil confidence in health and social care staff and empowers them to help make the end-of-life experience as good as it possibly can be for those under their care.”
To find out more about Rowcroft’s end-of-life care ambassadors programme and other training courses in end-of-life care, please click here.