Our Blog | IKONA Health

Using Immersive Technology to Recruit, Onboard, and Train Frontline Senior Care Staff

Meet Raul, Octavia, and Thomas 

Raul, Octavia and Thomas had been on the job hunt for a while looking for an entry level opportunity in the fast-growing senior care profession. All three were excited for the opportunity to work with seniors and were thrilled when a local senior care facility called them in for an interview. In the interview, each was asked to discuss their credentials, aspirations, and why they wanted to work in senior care. Raul stated that he “wanted to give back”; though, he had no experience caring for an older adult. On the other hand, both Octavia and Thomas had grandparents who they had helped care for in recent years. They both stated that they knew what to expect, yet  neither had any formal senior care experience or training.

Why Virtual Reality is Advantageous for Healthcare Education in Children and Seniors

The United States has a health literacy problem, with 9 of 10 Americans struggling to understand and use health information. But this is not merely a macro health issue: low health literacy costs the U.S. economy up to $238 billion dollars per year.

VR Applications for the Senior Care Workforce

By 2030, 25% of Americans will be 65 or older by 2030 (U.S. Census). Approximately 90% of baby boomers aim to age-in-place, but these numbers drop when physical and mental deterioration sets in. In a recent LeadingAge survey, 40% of baby boomers said they wanted to live somewhere other than the place they currently call home if they had a physical disability impacting their day-to-day lives, and 70% want to be in a staffed senior care facility if they have dementia and need help with daily activities. These statistics suggest a growing need for senior care professionals, with the direct care workforce expected to grow from 4.4 million to 5.8 million--an increase of 30%-- from 2016 to 2026. This places a heavy burden on staffed senior care facilities to recruit, onboard and train direct care workers to meet the complex needs of seniors.

Why Virtual Reality Enhances Home Health Care Simulation Training – A Neuroscience Perspective

The need for high-quality home health care is growing. Whether for a family whose child has special needs, for a patient in need of intensive rehabilitation, or for a senior struggling to age-in-place safely, having highly trained personal health aides will be critical to home health care’s ability to meet ever-increasing demand challenges over the long term.