“LISBON (WGME) — Lamp Memory Care Center in Lisbon is a Stage 4 dementia facility and the first in the state to implement virtual reality as part of their weekly routine.

Recreational therapist Carrie Wilson started to do her research, and found virtual reality helps dementia patients significantly.

“Being able to use virtual reality as a therapy tool to be the first go to rather than a medication when residents are showing signs of agitation, depression and anxiety,” says Carrie Wilson.

Not only does virtual reality help reduce the use of medications, but Wilson says it helps nonverbal residents communicate and keeps them calm.

“We had a resident one time that was exit seeking. We watched a two-minute video and he was fine for the rest of his shift which was another 7 hours,” says Wilson.

The virtual reality company “MYND VR” is based out of Texas.

Their staff flew to Maine to train Wilson and a few others on how to use the goggles and how to give residents the best experience.

They also practiced safety measures and how to react in certain situations.

“I can immediately stop the video or I can engage with them like can you see the mountain lion on the left, oh what do you think of that cat.” says Wilson.

28 residents have tested out the technology.

There are five headsets, five phones and six different categories of video from travel, to nature scenes and even pets.

“I really think it helps a lot of people and it’s unique in the sense that it’s an activity that multiple functioning levels can do and that’s very unique to find,” says Wilson.

It’s technology Wilson believes has the ability to make an undeniable impact.

“I definitely think there is a lot more to be done and this is just the beginning,” says Wilson.

And at the end stage of life, there is only one thing that really matters.

“Because we are at the end stages here, people are like just keep them happy,” says Wilson. “

by Lauren Healy, WGME | Wednesday, May 22nd 2019