The Power of Virtual Reality and Personalized Music on Dementia

Gabby Wen.

An older woman with short white hair, wearing a striped polo shirt, focuses intently on arranging a bouquet of flowers in a vase on a table. The arrangement features bright yellow daisies, pink blossoms, and small white flowers, creating a vibrant and delicate composition.
An older woman wearing a white virtual reality headset sits in a chair, extending her arm forward and interacting with a virtual environment.
An older man wearing glasses and a patterned shirt gestures with his hand raised, pointing upward, as if emphasizing a thought or memory.
An older woman wearing a white virtual reality headset sits in a chair, extending one hand forward with her fingers pointing, as if interacting with a virtual object. She has vibrant, teal-painted nails and is dressed in a blue shirt with a light gray cardigan.
An older woman with light hair tied back and wearing glasses and a black T-shirt featuring wolves sits at a chair, holding a picture of dolmades. Her gaze is thoughtful and nostalgic as she gently interacts with the photo.
An older man wearing glasses and a navy-blue shirt sits at a wooden table, leaning forward and pointing at a laptop screen displaying a shiny fishing hook. His expression is focused and engaged as he gestures with his hand, demonstrating the ease and precision of an experienced angler.

The collage below showcases my journey as a PhD candidate in the Applied Intercultural Arts Research program at the University of Arizona, where I combine music, immersive technology, and storytelling to enhance the well-being of older adults, particularly those living with dementia. Highlighting key research projects and future goals, it describes the importance of creative and personalized approaches in dementia care to foster cognitive engagement and well-being. From exploring barbershop singing to designing immersive virtual reality experiences, my work bridges art, interactive digital tools, and human connection to address the needs of a growing population. Through this visual narrative, I aim to inspire awareness and support for innovative, interdisciplinary solutions prioritizing the dignity and quality of life for older adults.

Click on image below to download the collage as a PDF:

Gabby Wen (she/her/hers) is a PhD candidate in the Applied Intercultural Arts Research program at the University of Arizona. She has an interdisciplinary minor that focuses on gerontology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from South China Normal University and her Master of Arts in Music from Hong Kong Baptist University. Her doctoral research is about studying people living with dementia by using person-centered music and virtual reality to collaboratively work with this demographic to promote their well-being. Her recent projects include “Creating a Personalized Experience with Music and Virtual Reality for People Living with Dementia at a Memory Care Facility,” “Virtual Experiences to Reduce Loneliness and Psychosocial Distress Among Older Black Church Members,” and “Echoes of Memories: Collaborative Storytelling through Person-Centered Music and Virtual Reality with Older Adults Living with Dementia.” In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, listening to music, hiking, and playing with her dogs.

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