SWAMPSCOTT — The Residence at Vinnin Square is using unique techniques to help both its staff and residents better understand senior cognitive function.
REACT Neuro is a virtual-reality program being used exclusively by LCB Senior Living facilities that gauges the brain function of individuals through a series of exercises.
The system was developed by Dr. Rudy Tanzi and Dr. Shaun Patel. Dr. Tanzi is known for being the first to identify the Alzheimer’s gene.
“We have a cutting-edge memory-care program that’s all research-based around expressive art therapy and improving brain health,” Vice President of Memory Care and Engagement for LCB Senior Living Amber Evans said. “REACT reached out to us and asked if they could partner with us on piloting this experience.”
Evans described the program as a digitized version of the Mini Mental State Examination.
Resident Mickey Mizner demonstrated the exercises and what they entail, as Dr. Patel joined him virtually to guide Mizner through the program and later analyze his results. Dr. Patel likened the testing to a Fitbit watch, but for the brain.
“We don’t have anything like that for our brain,” Dr. Patel said.
After a series of word-recall, categorization, and short-term-memory drills, Mizner was debriefed on his performance. Mizner completed a number exercise in 93 seconds, while his eye and hand movements were also simultaneously tracked.
An example of a more difficult examination includes identifying the location of numbers and letters and alternating between them in chronological order.
“It gives us some clear measurements on how our eyes are moving, how our brains are thinking,” Dr. Patel explained.
“A Walk in Their Shoes” is designed to simulate symptoms of dementia so that the caretakers of the Residence at Vinnin Square’s memory-care unit can better empathize with and understand those afflicted with the disease. The participant in the experiment would have multiple sensory impediments, including large gloves with fingers tethered together with elastics, glasses that impair vision, noise-canceling headphones that make hearing more difficult, and an object that clasps the top of the nose to alter breathing.
“Oftentimes, somebody living with dementia is in constant panic,” Evans said. “When we’re in a panic, we breathe with our chest, not with our belly.”
Residence at Vinnin Square Engagement Associate Beth Bevins found the experience very moving, and said she learned to be more patient with the residents of the memory-care unit.
“A person with dementia is not giving you a hard time, the person with dementia is having a hard time,” Bevins said. “It really struck home that they’re doing the best they can.”
