An Alberta-based upstart this month received capital toward its tech-forward approach to tackling the complex problem of dementia.
By 2030, it has been estimated that nearly one million Canadians will be living with dementia, and experts warn there is already an urgent need for better training and more support for those caring for individuals with this condition.
Calgary’s Kaleidoscope XR has developed an education program powered by artificial intelligence. The system provides a modern training solution for professionals caring for people living with dementia, according to the company.
Known as Objective Structures Clinic Examination, the platform enables health care trainees to improve soft skills by practicing their interactions with virtual AI patients.The training also aims to reduce patient reliance on antipsychotic drug-use and foster healthier aging.
Toward this mission, Kaleidoscope XR recently garnered $300,000 from the Accelerating Innovations into Care – Tech for Healthy Aging program.
The funding is earmarked for the Calgary startup to integrate their AI platforms into dementia training and care programs.
The Accelerating Innovations into Care program was launched in 2021 through a collaboration between Alberta Innovates and AGE-WELL.
“When we join forces with organizations like AGE-WELL, good things happen,” says Mike Mahon, chief executive officer of Alberta Innovates. “Creating new ways of thinking and training for dementia-care is critical not only to patients but also to their caregivers.”
AGE-WELL’s contribution hails from the Strategic Science Fund, which is jointly administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Health Canada, and through matching funds from private and public sector partners.
The funding is the first from AICE’s Tech for Healthy Aging stream.
“Kaleidoscope XR is pleased to be the recipient of the first AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging program,” stated Oli Siska, cofounder of Kaleidoscope XR.
Siska says the funding is “fundamental to the success of OSCEai Pro, and it will allow us to help people sooner.”
“We congratulate Kaleidoscope XR on their success in the first-ever AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging competition,” Mahon said, adding: “We look forward to the results that flow through this work.”
Kaleidoscope’s OSCEai Pro platform is being tested and supported at NorQuest College.
“Partnerships create opportunity,” says Bridgette Murphy, Acting CEO of AGE-WELL, a Canadian technology and aging network. “We are thrilled to be working with Alberta Innovates to support Kaleidoscope XR and NorQuest college to address a pressing problem not only in Alberta but throughout Canada.”
“The work we do today will hopefully lay the groundwork for training programs at NorQuest College and beyond,” Siska said. “This is not only good for caregivers but also for all those living with dementia.”
Kaleidoscope XR was founded by Siksa and David Ducasses in 2021.
Alberta Innovates is the province’s research and innovation agency, currently managing a project portfolio worth $1.2 billion.
Employing nearly 600 scientists and technical professionals, the corporation operates in 11 locations with more than one million square feet of industrial testing and lab facilities and 600 acres of farmland.
Leave a Reply