The Impact of Aging on Bones and Joints Curriculum
The Arthritis Simulator is a wearable, one-size-fits-all simulator set (one to be worn on each hand) which allows wearers to experience moderate to severe arthritis. Some of the effects that users will experience while wearing the Arthritis Simulator include:
- Reduced grip strength: harder to hold objects, and open/close things
- Reduced dexterity: difficulty to grip, pinch, turn, lift, and twist object
- Restricted range of motion: reduction in opening hand and closing the hand
- Tactile sensation: reduced tactile sensation or feeling at the fingertips
- Discomfort or mild pain
USI student in Community Nutrition class (NUTR 465) uses arthritis simulator
This lesson helps participants learn about the impact of aging and bones and joints, especially as it relates to arthritis. This will also help participants again a sense of empathy and sensitivity to the challenges these changes have on daily life.
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
Geriatric Eye Disorders Kit
This kit contains six different simulation glasses to give the wearer an understanding of the following geriatric eye disorders:
- Macular Degeneration
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Unilateral Retinal Detachment
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
Understanding Tremors in the Elderly Curriculum
The Geriatric Tremor Simulator, using the Prospera Electronic Pulse Massager, is a wearable simulation experience (to be worn on one hand) allowing wearers to experience age-related hand tremor conditions. The Prospera Electronic Pulse Massager was designed for pain relief using electrical muscle stimulations (EMS) technology to elicit muscle contraction (tremors) using electric impulses. This results in similar hand tremor conditions to those found in geriatric patients. The Geriatric Tremor Simulator is one size fits all.
USI student places Geriatric Tremor Simulator electrodes on arm with help from GWEP staff member
The lesson helps participants learn about the impact of tremor conditions, especially as it relates to the hands. This will also help participants gain a sense of empathy and sensitivity to the challenges these conditions have on daily life.
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
Age-Related Hearing Impairment Curriculum
The Hearing Impairment Simulator is a wearable simulator allowing wearers to experience the effects of hearing loss or hearing impairment due to aging. Some of the effects that users will experience while wearing the Hearing Impairment Simulator include:
- Tinnitus
- High frequency hearing loss
- General hearing loss
- Dementia (unintelligible sounds and confusion)
The Hearing Impairment Simulator is one size fits all. This lesson helps participants learn about hearing loss and impairment due to aging. This will also help participants gain a sense of empathy and sensitivity to the challenges these changes have on daily life.
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
Geriatric Medication Management Curriculum
The Geriatric Medication Management Simulation is an immersive simulation that allows the participants to experience the difficult of managing multiple medications as a geriatric patient with impaired visual and manual dexterity.
USI student attempts to read medication bottle while wearing geriatrics medication management simulation equipment.
This lesson helps participants learn about the challenges and risks associated with managing multiple medications as a geriatric patient. This will help participants gain a sense of empathy and sensitivity to the challenges this presents and help identify ways to manage and cope.
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
The Hemiplegia Experience Curriculum
The Hemiplegia Simulator is a multi-component, wearable, one-size-fits most simulator set that enables the wearers to experience right or left hemiplegia as well as possible secondary disabilities due to hemiplegia. This lesson helps participants learn about the cause, symptoms, treatment, and accommodations as it relates to hemiplegia. This will help participants gain a sense of empathy and sensitivity to the challenges this condition has on daily living.
Download the presentation and lesson plan.
Bodart, D. (2017). Realityworks. Live it. Learn it. Realityworks, Inc. https://realityworks.com