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Telepresence robots can enhance social connection and support person-centered care in long-term care (LTC) homes. This study evaluates their impact in facilitating virtual visits between family caregivers and older residents in Canadian LTC homes. Telepresence robots were placed in residents’ rooms, allowing virtual visits at mutual convenience. A total of 18 residents and 17 family caregivers participated. Quantitative assessments included the Zarit Burden Interview, the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease scale, while qualitative data were collected through interviews, field notes, and observations. Repeated ANOVA showed that using telepresence robots significantly reduced caregiver burden (p = 0.008), improved residents’ quality of life (p = 0.028), and decreased resident loneliness (p = 0.038). Older caregivers experienced the greatest burden reduction, with scores dropping from a mean of 25.0 at baseline to 16.1 at two months. Qualitative findings provided further context, revealing that residents felt more connected, close, and engaged, while families found the robots facilitated continuity of care, complemented in-person visits, reduced stress and guilt, and provided reassurance. These findings suggest that telepresence robots can enhance the well-being of both residents and caregivers in LTC homes, though future research should explore their long-term impact and technological limitations.

Virtual reality (VR) is gaining traction in healthcare, education, and cultural sectors, from simulations in medical education to immersive museum experiences. Recently, VR has emerged as a powerful tool for Indigenous cultural preservation, language revitalization, and storytelling, offering immersive ways to safeguard knowledge and strengthen community connections. However, despite VR’s potential to support Indigenous self-determination, little is known about the extent of Indigenous leadership, engagements, and settler-Indigenous collaborations in VR development. There is a critical need to examine how VR can be ethically and meaningfully co-designed with Indigenous communities to ensure cultural integrity, respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, and equitable participation in technological innovation. Thus, this scoping review aims to identify practical strategies and best practices for co-designing VR with Indigenous communities. In accordance with the JBI methodology, we will conduct a comprehensive search across seven electronic databases, including MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Compendex (Engineering Village), and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global (ProQuest). Google Scholar will also be searched for grey literature sources. Eligible studies will focus on Indigenous populations (Population) and fully immersive VR co-design (Concept) across various contexts. Studies that do not discuss the design process will be excluded. Two independent reviewers will conduct literature screening, data extraction, and analysis, with findings synthesized narratively and presented in a structured charting table. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal publication and shared with relevant community partners to support knowledge translation and application.

Although there is a growing literature on the use of telepresence robots in institutional dementia care settings, limited research focused on the perspectives of frontline staff members who deliver dementia care. Our objective was to understand staff perspectives on using telepresence robots to support residents with dementia and their families. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we conducted four focus groups and 11 semi-structured interviews across four long-term care (LTC) homes and one hospital in Canada. We included 22 interdisciplinary staff members (e.g., registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, recreational therapists) to understand their experiences with telepresence robots. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: 1) Staff Training and Support; 2) Robot Features; 3) Environmental dynamics for Implementation. Our results underscore the imperative of structural support at micro-, meso- and macro-levels for staff in dementia care settings to effectively implement technology. This study contributes to future research and practice by elucidating factors facilitating staff involvement in technology research, integrating staff voices into technology implementation planning, and devising strategies to provide structural support to staff, care teams, and care homes.

In Long-Term Care (LTC), staff members are responsible for addressing residents’ complex needs. Emerging research suggests integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled service robots can enhance staff care delivery. We aim to explore the feasibility of deploying such robots in staff’s care practice, which remains under-explored. Guided by the underpinning principles of Collaborative Action Research, we deployed an AI-enabled robot, Aether, in a group home in Canada. We included care staff and a care home manager in deployment and post-intervention focus groups to understand their experiences of having Aether in their nursing practice and care delivery. Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed our data collection and thematic analysis. We identified facilitators and barriers in three interconnected themes: (1) Robot Features, (2) Environmental Dynamics, and (3) Training and Staff Engagement. Implementing Aether in a care home is feasible with sufficient support to staff. Our study highlighted the imperative need for (1) structural support at individual, organizational, and macro levels for care teams using AI-enabled innovation and (2) fostering partnerships to overcome barriers and support the sustainable deployment of such innovation.

Background The rapid advancement of gerontechnology, technologies for older adults, needs a collaboration that integrates the efforts of researchers, industry and community partners. Multisector collaboration fosters a holistic view of technologies, merging industry expertise, academic rigour, and the lived experiences of older adults and caregivers. This paper explores the role of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) perspectives in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). Methods We present two case studies from Canada and Australia. Study One involves a dementia television project, and Study Two is an innovative rural dementia care project. Data sources included transcripts of the case studies’ focus groups, research meeting notes, and associated study publications between 2021 and 2023 and 2016–2024, respectively. Utilizing Rolfe’s reflective model, we reflected on lessons learned regarding challenges, strategies, and their implications for future research. Our analysis focused on two questions: (1) What were the common challenges of partnering with industry and PPI in the research process? And (2) How can EDI be applied to help overcome those challenges? Results Thematic analysis identified five common themes of challenges and ten practical strategies. The challenges are (1) experiential bias, (2) underrepresentation, (3) communication gaps, (4) mistrust and (5) power dynamics. Based on the lessons learned, we identified ten practical strategies using EDI principles: (1) seek diverse representation, (2) establish transparent agreements, (3) adopt inclusive language and cultural sensitivity, (4) apply flexibility to learn and adapt, (5) embed team reflection (6) take time to build trust and relationships, (7) facilitate meaningful engagement, (8) provide equitable recognition and opportunity, (9) foster a respectful environment for knowledge transfer, and (10) cultivate a long-term sustained relationship. Conclusion The older population is diverse, and their needs are complex. EDI considerations contribute to fostering research excellence and maximizing the potential of PPI to develop technologies to improve aging experiences that truly meet the diverse needs of older adults for societal impact. Multisector collaboration requires clear communication and intentional efforts to build trust. EDI considerations should be embedded at every stage of the research process. This paper outlines common challenges, strategies, and implications as practical tips for future research and practice. Plain English Summary Background The development of technologies for older adults needs a collaboration that integrates the efforts of researchers, industry and community partners. This paper explores the role of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) perspectives in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI). Methods We present two case studies from Canada and Australia. Study One involves a dementia television project, and Study Two is an innovative rural dementia care project. We reflected on lessons learned regarding challenges, strategies, and their implications for future research. Our analysis focused on two questions: 1) What were the common challenges of partnering with industry and PPI in the research process? And 2) How can EDI be applied to help overcome those challenges? Results We identified five common themes of challenges and ten practical strategies. The challenges are (1) implicit bias, (2) underrepresentation, (3) communication gaps, (4) mistrust and (5) power dynamics. Based on the lessons learned, we identified ten practical strategies using EDI principles: (1) recruit for diverse representation, (2) establish transparent agreements, (3) incorporate inclusive language and cultural sensitivity, (4) apply flexibility to learn and adapt, (5) embed team reflection (6) take time to build trust and relationships, (7) facilitate meaningful engagement, (8) ensure equitable recognition (9) foster a respectful environment for shared learning, and (10) cultivate a long-term sustained relationship. Conclusion This paper outlines common challenges, strategies, and implications as practical tips for future research and practice.

Objective As people living with dementia move into long-term care (LTC), their care partners face a difficult role change from primary caregiver to visitor, losing a significant degree of control and direct care involvement. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges with health risks, changing care home protocols, and government policies. To help address these challenges, this study aimed to investigate the experiences of care partners who used telepresence robots to maintain contact with and care for their loved ones during the pandemic. Methods This study was guided by the Collaborative Action Research (CAR) approach. Along with interdisciplinary researchers and trainees, our team included patient and family partners as co-researchers throughout the project. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 care partners who used the robots in five urban Canadian LTC homes between May 2021 and August 2023. Results Thematic analysis identified four key themes characterizing their experiences using the robot: (a) decreases care partner burden, (b) facilitates care partner–staff relationship, (c) creates relational autonomy, and (d) expands the scope of what is possible. Conclusion The results of the study suggest that telepresence robots can play a useful role in enhancing the caregiving experience for informal care partners in multifaceted ways. Care partners reported positive benefits of having the robot assist their virtual visits. However, further research is needed to determine the sustainability of robot implementation among diverse geographic regions and care home compositions.

Objective This exploratory qualitative study examines the perceived impacts of using dementia-friendly videos as a digital assistive technology to support the psychosocial needs of people with moderate to severe dementia in care settings. Methods The study was conducted in a hospital and a long-term care home in Vancouver, Canada. Data were primarily collected through interviews and focus groups with 19 healthcare providers, supplemented by observational interviews with 15 patients/residents. The person-centred care approach guided the analysis. Findings Seven key themes emerged: (a) providing comfort, (b) connecting with the person's interests and backgrounds, (c) building relationships, (d) promoting engagement and interaction, (e) facilitating activities of daily living, (f) having a sense of community, and (g) facilitating the impacts using appropriate technological equipment. Conclusion The themes reflected the five psychosocial needs suggested by the person-centred care framework: comfort, identity, attachment, occupation, and inclusion. Our findings extend this framework by highlighting the importance of cultural connection as an integral part of identity to enhance the impact of the videos. Additionally, this study highlights the significance of using appropriate technological equipment to amplify the impact of the videos, which may require organizational support. This study sheds light on research and practice for further development and use of dementia-friendly videos in care settings.

Background Technological advancements offer the potential to address healthcare challenges, such as improving residents’ quality of life in long-term care homes (LTCHs). However, there is often a mismatch between developed technologies and the actual needs of residents and staff, leading to poor adoption. Researchers conducting research on developing and implementing technologies in LTCHs face unique challenges. Understanding these challenges is crucial for enhancing technology adoption and sustainability in LTCHs. Methods This qualitative reflection study is about the experiences of two technology implementation projects in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. Researchers from the Telepresence Robot and MouvMat projects participated in four reflection sessions. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified themes and gained valuable insight into the experiences, lessons learned, and recommendations. Results Both projects faced challenges in recruitment, accommodating individual residents’ needs and routines, staff shortages and turnover, and logistics barriers due to infrastructural limitations and changing guidelines. The Telepresence Robot and the MouvMat teams implemented a range of adaptive strategies. These included frequent check-ins with families, creating appropriate training materials, co-developing tailored solutions, flexible recruitment approaches, staff engagement tactics, and personalized support. Conclusion The lessons learned highlighted the need for adaptive strategies in conducting research in LTCHs. The study calls for structural support and partnerships between academics and practice locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as efforts to combat ageism in technology use. Researchers need support for knowledge translation and sharing findings to highlight the value of staff participation and showcase research benefits.

The need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in gerontology education is underscored by the potential benefits it offers in addressing loneliness and supporting social connection among older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes. While the workforce in LTC is often overburdened, AI-enabled service robots present possible solutions to enhance residents’ quality of life. However, the incorporation of AI and service robots in current gerontology curricula is lacking, and the views of students on this subject remain largely unexamined. This study aims to fill this gap by capturing the perspectives of university students regarding the deployment of an AI robot, Aether, in LTC environments. In this qualitative study, we conducted focus groups with 22 university students. Our thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) Aether’s anticipated usage in geriatric care: companionship support and complementing the work of staff; (2) Challenges in using Aether: technical and emotional challenges; and (3) Solutions and future possibilities: expanding functionalities and integrating personalization features. Students expressed a positive outlook on the role of AI-enabled robots while also highlighting the necessity of addressing ethical and practical considerations. To effectively integrate AI technology in gerontology education, it is essential to understand and incorporate student perspectives, attitudes, and opinions.

Background Emerging evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR) technology can potentially improve the wellbeing of older adults living with dementia in hospital care units. Nevertheless, older patients are often excluded from VR opportunities. Meaningful engagement of patient partners, family caregivers, staff, and care leaders is needed to ensure the appropriate development and implementation of these programs. Objective To understand the expectations of patient partners, families, staff, and care leaders regarding development and implementation of a VR program for patients with dementia in hospitals. Method Drawing on principles of Collaborative Action Research and underpinned by the Person-Centred Framework, we conducted qualitative focus groups and interviews with 42 individuals including 7 patients, 9 family members, 17 frontline staff members and 9 organizational leaders. Results We performed a thematic analysis and identified three interconnected themes: (1) anticipating positive functions and outcomes, (2) considerations on VR program implementation, and (3) desired VR features for patients with dementia. Conclusion This study explored multiple partners’ needs and priorities on a VR program in hospitals, emphasizing the pivotal role of multipartner collaboration and supportive care environment essential for delivering a person-centred VR experience. Future studies are recommended to further the investigation by deploying and evaluating a person-centred VR program for patients with dementia in hospital settings through collaboration with multiple partners.