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.
The Challenge
Hillcrest Nursing Home, a small care facility in Ireland, was seeking innovative solutions to enrich the lives of its residents. While reminiscence therapy was already part of their therapeutic repertoire, traditional methods – such as photo albums or storytelling, struggled to engage residents fully, particularly those with cognitive challenges.
The question was clear:
How might we use technology to make reminiscence therapy more immersive, effective, and scalable across a diverse population of older adults?
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.
