We @idea.nursing.ubc.ca completed our Canada arm of multi countries cultural aging study. Very happy to share Canadian results with other countries in Singapore

New blog post on Bioethics Today by Hana Abbasian and Perisa Ashar responds to our recent LOVOT reflection paper, raising ethical questions about #AlgorithmicIntimacy and #EmotionalAccountability when using social robots in dementia care.

Sena Kholmatov recently presented our Co-Create VR project at the SFU GRC (@SFUGero.bsky.social) Research Day on Aging. We explored how VR can create meaningful moments for older adults through co-design with residents, staff, and families. Feeling grateful to share this work.

10 strategies: 1, inclusion, 2, focus on what works, 3. Embrace complexity, 4, connect hearts. 5 connect heads, 6 adopt to need,7 build big tent, 8, make it easy, 9 realtime testing, 10 keep pace

Our #PARO project co-lead, Yuka Ohno, presented a poster on her work and met PARO’s inventor, Dr. Takanori Shibata, in the exhibit hall at #GSA2025. We’re excited to keep exploring how socially assistive robots like PARO can support people living with dementia and their care partners.

On #RemembranceDay, we honour and remember the military and civilian lives lost to war, and the families who hold their stories. Working alongside older adults and care partners, we are reminded every day of the power of memory and community.

Flying to Boston #GSA2025, 2 papers, an invited president symposium, 6 posters @idea.nursing.ubc.ca @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social 🥳 🤩 Excited to see friends and colleagues

Featured in Canadian Healthcare Technology, a new study by VCHRI researcher Dr. Lillian Hung reveals how accessible, AI-enabled robot companions foster emotional engagement & social connection for residents of long-term care homes: ow.ly/gHZ850XnXP5

So happy to provide the keynote for the Crest conference to inspire practice based research @providencehealthcare.org stories of patient oriented research conducted @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social @idea.nursing.ubc.ca

New #nursesky pub alert! Our research team at @idea.nursing.ubc.ca (led by @nurselillian.bsky.social) captured perspectives of people living with dementia and family partners on the potential, limitations, and ethics of implementing #LOVOT in long-term care homes:

New paper in @PLOSOne.org 🦊🎮 Our team, led by Dr. Lillian Hung (@nurselillian.bsky.social) studied a gamified cycling game in a Canadian long-term care home. Participants shared that it was easy to use, engaging, and supported physical & mental well-being. Learn more:

Our thematic analysis of student-facilitated silent-disco in LTC found three themes: intergenerational togetherness, inclusion via personalized music, and stronger social bonds with twice-weekly parties. Read our brief report in JAMDA:

New pub @idea.nursing.ubc.ca @ubcappliedscience.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...

We presented 2 presentations, won the best demo award at AgeWELL conference; then presented 13 presentations at CAG. What a blast @idea.nursing.ubc.ca @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social @ubcappliedscience.bsky.social

Great week of learning and connecting at #CAG_2025 in Montréal with @nurselillian.bsky.social and the @idea.nursing.ubc.ca team. Presented posters on a seated dance pilot in LTC and a scoping review on social support for 2S/LGBTQ+ older adults in Canada :)

🤖 A new study led by VCHRI researcher Dr. Lillian Hung reveals how accessible, AI-enabled robot companions foster emotional engagement & social connection for residents of long-term care homes:

Happening right now: @nurselillian.bsky.social joins Dr. Bernie Garrett, Prof. Ash Scott, and Dr. Charlene Chu at the @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social Marion Woodward Symposium 2025, sharing opportunities, ethical issues, and strategies on AI implementation in nursing practice & education #nursesky

Congratulations to Dr. Karen L. Y. Wong on successfully defending her PhD at UBC Social Work. A long-time member of the IDEA Lab, Dr. Wong led many projects advancing senior care—from dementia-friendly TV study to reducing antipsychotic use in long-term care. We’re so proud.

IDEA Lab members Isis Kelly dos Santos, Peter Zhao, Joey Wong, and @jeffrey.cspsc.ca joined @agingsmart.bsky.social’s Lunch & Learn today with Prof. Maureen Ashe on social prescribing and social support for older adults. Thanks for hosting!

Full house at our C2 South Asian & Chinese community Healthy Aging workshops this week. Led by Margaret Lin, PhD student @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social, older adults, families, health and community partners shared stories and set priorities for inclusive, integrated care across @fraserhealth.ca (1/2).

What should a hospital VR program look like for older adults living with dementia? New paper led by PhD student Lily Haopu Ren maps the expectations of patient partners, families, staff, and care leaders on co-designing person-centred VR programs in hospital settings:

Proud moment today! Our research assistant @jeffrey.cspsc.ca and patient partner Lynn Jackson presented our poster “Co-Designing Immersive Virtual Reality With Indigenous Communities” at the TWU CREATE Conference 2025.

Working at the University of South Bohemia today at the Dean’s office @idea.nursing.ubc.ca #ubc

In 2 weeks! Register now to attend the @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social lecture and symposium on “The Future of Nursing in the Age of AI,” where @uoftnursing.bsky.social’s Dr. Charlene Chu will deliver the 2025 Marion Woodward Lecture. @nurselillian.bsky.social is part of the symposium just prior at 5pm.

Our new study in #JDAD @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social shows that virtual team-based care can strengthen communication & family involvement in hospital-to-LTC transitions for people with dementia—but success requires inclusive policies, clear protocols & leadership support: www.mdpi.com/3042-4518/2/...

@nurselillian.bsky.social and PhD students Joey Wong (Nursing; @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social) and Lily Haopu Ren (Interdisciplinary Studies) are on their way to Sweden 🇸🇪 to share UBC IDEA Lab’s work at #SocGeronTech Network’s 7th Annual Meeting. Stay tuned for updates 👀

Today is #WorldAlzheimersDay. At the UBC IDEA Lab, we believe our work matters because people living with dementia matter. Through co-created research, we’re working toward a kinder, more compassionate future for dementia care 💜

🤖 A new study led by VCHRI researcher Dr. Lillian Hung reveals how accessible, AI-enabled robot companions foster emotional engagement & social connection for residents of long-term care homes:

Welcome to Bluesky, @vchresearch.bsky.social! Under @nurselillian.bsky.social’s leadership, our team is excited to keep learning and growing together as part of the VCHRI research community 🦋

“They were barely as large as an old transistor radio,” shared Fred Keating, UBC IDEA Lab patient partner. In a new @theglobeandmail.com feature, @nurselillian.bsky.social and Fred reflect on the promise and challenges of “tiny” robots and the need for inclusive design:

How can virtual reality support the psychosocial needs of residents living with dementia in long-term care? Our new qualitative study found VR can spark meaningful experiences, foster social ties, involve families, and engage residents even in later stages:

Our new scoping review in Digital Health (@journals.sagepub.com), led by @nurselillian.bsky.social, explores what helps and hinders co-designing #SocialRobots with older adults living with #Dementia. Read here:

@nurselillian.bsky.social will be joining a panel at @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social’s 57th Marion Woodward Lecture & Symposium, “The Future of Nursing in the Age of AI,” on Thursday, October 16 at the VIFF Theatre in Vancouver. Learn more & register: nursing.ubc.ca/community/ev...

Nature via VR or projector can be transformative for hospital patients & LTC residents 🌳🏥 @nurselillian.bsky.social and PhD students Joey and Lily shared this work at @forestry.ubc.ca’s 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy #ICFT2025

@nurselillian.bsky.social #nursesky and UBC IDEA Lab patient partner Mario Gregorio recently joined Mark Niu @beingpatient.bsky.social to chat about how #SocialRobots like PARO and LOVOT are transforming #DementiaCare. Check it out:

New article alert! How can music & co-leadership reshape dementia care? We share insights from a 12-week community ukulele program co-led by a person with dementia, centering equity and inclusion. Read the full article here: 🔗https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319251360518

MIVE Lab at #AAIC25! 👂👁️👃 The Sensory Health and Cognition ISTAART PIA hosted a workshop on hearing, vision & smell in cognitive impairment with Natalie Phillips, @walterwittich.bsky.social, Carrie Nieman, Marilyn Reed & more. 🕶️ @jennycampos.bsky.social also spoke on VR/AR & aging w/ Dr. Lillian Hung

Our July 2025 newsletter is out now! If you haven’t already, subscribe to stay in the loop with UBC IDEA Lab team spotlights, project updates, upcoming events, and more: eepurl.com/ilKMy6

Check out this new community case study led by our PhD student Margaret Lin on using storytelling and #DesignJam workshops to co-create #LearningHealthSystems. Read here:

This past Saturday, @nurselillian.bsky.social shared our co-created VR project for Indigenous older adults at the Technology & Dementia Preconference of @alzassociation.bsky.social #AAIC2025. Honoured to see our inclusive innovation in dementia care represented on the global stage.

Our TV study was featured on @citynewsvancouver.bsky.social today! @nurselillian.bsky.social @agingsmart.bsky.social shared how calming, familiar videos can help people living with dementia remember everyday tasks like drinking water. Watch the segment:

🚶‍♂️What makes a neighbourhood walkable for someone living with dementia? Our new study with colleagues from @sfu.ca and UNBC explores how built environment shapes everyday walking experiences for people living with dementia in Metro Vancouver.

Have you heard about our EMPOWER Framework? This collaborative reflection with patient partners centers lived experience and advances equity through research, policy, and care. Take a look here: www.frontiersin.org/journals/dem... #DementiaVoices #EMPOWERFramework #HealthEquity #CoResearch

Join us Wednesday, Aug 13 for our IDEA Lab Research Day & Indigenous VR Storytelling Exhibit at the Paetzold Theatre (Vancouver General Hospital)! @nurselillian.bsky.social @agingsmart.bsky.social @vchhealthcare.bsky.social Free event with lunch provided—RSVP now:

We are thrilled to highlight the fantastic work and photos from Dr. Lillian Hung and the UBC IDEA Lab in our latest report! @idea.nursing.ubc.ca

Fresh off the press—new paper led by PhD candidate Karen Wong and @nurselillian.bsky.social explored how dementia-friendly videos can support the psychosocial needs of people with moderate to severe dementia in care settings. Check it out: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

New paper 🚨 We reflect on the messy realities of doing tech implementation research in long-term care settings from coast (BC) to coast (ON). With @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social & @uoftnursing.bsky.social:

Our intergenerational, student-led team @ubc-vnursing.bsky.social reflected on bringing LOVOT social robots into community spaces with older adults. Read our critical reflection in Gerontology & Geriatrics Education via @tandfresearch.bsky.social: