Testing the effectivity of the mixed virtual reality training Into D'mentia for informal caregivers of people with dementia: protocol for a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Informal caregivers for people with dementia (hereafter: caregivers) often feel (over)burdened by the care for a loved one with dementia, and this can have various deleterious effects on both caregivers and patients. Support for caregivers is urgently needed, and for this reason, a dementia simulator (Into D'mentia) was developed in which caregivers experience what it is like to have dementia. The simulator attempts to heighten caregivers' empathy and understanding for the patient and, in turn, diminish their own caregiver burden.

[Experiencing dementia: evaluation of Into D'mentia].

Background: Most persons with dementia in the Netherlands live at home, where they are cared for by informal carers such as family members or friends, who offer this care unpaid. Their care-task poses a high burden on these informal carers, increasing the risk of health problems and social isolation. Many informal carers indicate they want more information on the behaviour of those they care for.

Gerontechnology in higher engineering education.

This paper is based on experiences with designing an educational programme on gerontechnology at Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) and designing and developing various international gerontechnology courses. There are two major goals for education in gerontechnology: (1) creation of a knowledge base of principles, methods and facts about ageing and technology; (2) creation of an attitude base about the convictions, beliefs and goals for society that are embedded in the concept of gerontechnology. Because the knowledge base of gerontechnology is multi-disciplinary, an outline for a curriculum has been developed that consists of four basic modules: (1) basic concepts, (2) information about people, (3) information about technology and (4) macro aspects.