Learn how virtual reality can provide a meaningful escape for people with terminal illness.
How can technology help someone at the end of life? Listen to what the research has to say.
In this Episode:
- 03:54 – 7 Ways to Die in Future: The Simulation is Unplugged
- 05:57 – Recipe of the Week: Honeybun Cake
- 07:31 – Virtual Reality Takes You Over the Rainbow
- 21:28 – Over the Rainbow Lyrics
- 23:09 – Outro
This week we explore Virtual Reality (VR) and how VR can be incorporated into palliative care with studies documenting people reporting effectiveness in pain and symptom management and its psychological impact. VR can provide people with meaningful and uplifting experiences, thereby enhancing their emotional well-being, improving emotional state by fostering social connections and boosting self-esteem.
VR can transform the experiences of people at the end-of-life, providing them with comfort, support, and meaningful engagement during their final stages. The immersive and interactive nature of VR allows people to experience moments of joy, relief, and connection, which are crucial for emotional well-being.
References:
- https://genius.com/Judy-garland-over-the-rainbow-lyrics
- Moloney, M., Doody, O., O’Reilly, M., Lucey, M., Callinan, J., Exton, C., Colreavy, S., O’Mahony, F., Meskell, P., & Coffey, A. (2023). Virtual reality use and patient outcomes in palliative care: A scoping review. Digital health, 9, 20552076231207574. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231207574
- Martin, J. L., et al. (2022). “Virtual Reality in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review.” Healthcare 10(7): 1222.
- The Power of Virtual Reality for End-of-Life Patients | Healthnews
- Mo, J., Vickerstaff, V., Minton, O., Tavabie, S., Taubert, M., Stone, P., & White, N. (2022). How effective is virtual reality technology in palliative care? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Palliative medicine, 36(7), 1047–1058. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221099584
- Gunning, Cinema of Attractions.pdf (illinois.edu)
- The uncanniness of watching a grieving mother and her dead daughter meet in virtual reality. (slate.com)
Resources:
- Mandy Patinkin sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrcGdIzweu4
- Mother meets her deceased daughter through VR technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uflTK8c4w0c
- What Is Virtual Reality & How Does It Work? | Mashable Explains (youtube.com)
- Using Virtual Reality In Palliative Care: What Experts Say – Forbes Health
- ‘Over the Rainbow’: The Story Behind the Song of the Century
Related Episodes:
- S1E03: What is Palliative Care?
- S3E12: Pleasures at the End of Life
- S5E19: Grieving in the Digital World means Never Having to Say Goodbye…but is it Best?
Over the Rainbow
Did you catch the theme? As we talk about escape to new experiences, Charlie read the lyrics to “Over the Rainbow”, also known as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg. It was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland’s signature song.
Our intro version of the song was recorded by our producer, Sandi Troup.
Recipe of the Week: Honeybun Cake
What could be better than a honeybun? An entire cake with the awesome flavor, which is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Head over to Grandbaby Cakes for the recipe!
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
