Funding: Data2Sustain EDIH
Hillcrest Nursing Home
Hillcrest Nursing Home in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, provides residential and dementia care services for older adults. Hillcrest focuses on person-centred care and uses interactive activities and reminiscence therapy to support the wellbeing, engagement, and social connections of their residents.
Problem To Be Solved
Hillcrest Nursing Home, a care facility for older adults, wanted to enhance the emotional and mental well-being of its residents through innovative technology. Traditional reminiscence therapy methods, such as photo albums or recorded stories, were limited in immersiveness and engagement.
The challenge was to design a cost-effective and scalable solution that could help residents reconnect with cherished memories while being easy for staff to manage and adapt to individual needs.
WiSAR Solution
Through the Data2Sustain European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), WiSAR Lab collaborated with Hillcrest Nursing Home to develop and implement a Virtual Reality (VR)-based reminiscence therapy system.
The project unfolded in two phases:
1. Content Creation and Pilot Trial
· Produced 360° video content showcasing familiar and nostalgic Irish locations (such as beaches and farms) tailored to residents’ personal histories.
· Used Meta Quest headsets and YouTube VR for easy, interactive access.
· Conducted a pilot programme to test engagement and gather resident feedback.
2. Staff Training and Knowledge Transfer
· Designed a hands-on training programme with video tutorials to teach staff how to record, edit, and manage VR content.
· Enabled caregivers to produce their own custom VR experiences.
· Established an in-house VR content library for ongoing use in therapeutic sessions.
Impact & Benefits
· Improved Engagement: Residents reported heightened enjoyment, emotional connection, and participation in therapy sessions.
· Empowered Staff: Caregivers gained new digital skills, fostering confidence and self-sufficiency.
· Sustainable Integration: The VR system is now part of regular care routines, with reusable equipment and content.
· Scalability: The success of this pilot demonstrates strong potential for replication across other elder care facilities.
Financially, the initiative reduced reliance on external therapy and entertainment providers, creating long-term cost savings and added value for residents.
