Effects of a Virtual Reality Exercise Program on Sleep Quality in Assisted Living Residents

Older adults are the largest growing segment of the Canadian population. Almost 40% of men and 59% of women aged 65 to 79 years of age experience sleep disturbances. Little research has been done to examine sleep quality of assisted living residents through objective measures. This project aims to understand the association between sleep quality, quality of life, cognitive performance, and functional capacity in assisted living residents. Sleep quality, quality of life, cognitive performance, and functional capacity will be assessed through subjective (questionnaires) and objective (wearable devices) instruments. The expected benefits of this project to the partner organization are the increased understanding of sleep health of their residents to better inform and develop interventions to improve the quality of life of assisted living residents and the decrease in operational costs associated with sleep medication and staffing.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marc Poulin

Student:

Partner:

The Brenda Strafford Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Calgary

Program: