b'NEW MODELS OF CAREA push tointegratevirtual realityinto long-term careBy Moira WelshA and woe to those who dont follow hisserious dementia, was frustrated by few years ago, Matthew Melchior, President and Co- orders. You dont speak unless youa high libido. He was young, just in founder of Primacare Living,are spoken to, Knowlton says. Heshis early 60s. His dementia left him and his chief operating officer, Jillrunning his life like his courtroom. Ifwith few inhibitions and sometimes Knowlton, started discussing thethe nurse says something, well, yourehe would touch female residents in possibilities of virtual reality (VR). Theyprobably going to get clobbered,his home. His wife had a plan to fix had heard about results that seemedbecause youre speaking and he didntthat. She asked his nursing home for promising in studies of VR on peopletell you that you could speak.permission, and it was granted. Once with early cognitive decline, but theya month, the wife hired a sex worker wondered if it would work for theKnowlton began her career as ato visit her husband at the home. Staff people in their care living with seriousregistered nurse, spending most ofreserved the private family stay-over or advanced dementia.her time in privately operated long- suite. It was beautifully appointed, term care, and is a leader with thelike a luxury hotel room, with a Knowlton thought it might help withOntario Long Term Care Association,comfortable bed and soft lighting. a big, strapping man who once drovethe provinces largest nursing homeThey left the man and the sex worker long-haul trucks across North Americagroup. She is equal parts warmalone. After, he seemed more relaxed, and now, living in the limited spaceand professional. She is unafraid ofand for the next month, his behavior of a nursing home, had episodes ofrisk, willing to take the unorthodoxwas under control. Everyonerage. She wondered what a video ofapproach if theres a good chance itwas happier. a courtroom would do for a retiredwill improve lives. judge who spends his days presidingKnowlton likes possibility thinking. over the nursing station that looksIn one of my first interviews withSo does Melchior. Together, they a lot like his old courtroom bench,Knowlton, she told me a storyhave pushed the rights of LGBTQ2S surveying the room, meting outabout long-term care that Ive neverpeople. Understanding sexuality is an justice. He now instructs the nurses,forgotten. A man, a resident withimportant piece of long-term care. 12 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2021'