Technology and VR to support caregivers: strong interest in the Caffè Alzheimer event

12 November 2025 By Marzia Lucianer

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, a meeting titled “Technology to Support the Caregiver and the Person with Alzheimer’s” was held at the Contrada Larga Senior Services Center in Trento. The event was organized and promoted by Alzheimer Trento ODV and curated by Fondazione Bruno Kessler’s Research Center for Digital Health and Wellness (DH&W Center).

The goal of the event was to share how virtual reality (VR) and new technologies can provide concrete support for both caregivers and people with dementia.

Following opening remarks by Renzo Dori, President of the Trento Alzheimer’s Association, and Stefano Forti, Director of the DH&W Center, researchers Susanna Pardini and Anna Genovese, along with technologists Michele Lamon and Riccardo Calcagno, delivered presentations.

“The innovative approach to dementia, and the support that technology and artificial intelligence can offer to caregivers and patients in the non-severe stages of dementia, is still little known and underestimated—especially when viewed as part of a future model of care, assistance, and the preservation of a person’s remaining abilities for as long as possible,” said Renzo Dori.

Attendees, who also had the opportunity to try 3D viewers and immerse themselves in customized virtual environments, were introduced to several innovative tools related to the use of virtual reality:

Customizable immersive environments for reminiscence activities and for the management of states of anxiety or agitation.
Ongoing trials both at the facility and at home.
Concrete solutions already on the market or at an advanced stage of study, such as robotic assistants, smart glasses, sensors and serious games.

Researcher Giuseppe Jurman was given the task of illustrating the possible applications of artificial intelligence in medicine in the final talk.

The meeting was followed with great interest and active participation by patients and caregivers, who asked questions and made suggestions on the possible use of these technologies.

The initiative, sponsored by the Municipality of Trento and the Province of Trento, had the general purpose of promoting the activities of the FBK center and involving families, operators and partners in the next trials in Trento.

The opening was entrusted to the students of the “I Minipolifonici” School of Music .