Ayumi Igarashi
Dr. Ayumi Igarashi is an Associate Professor of the Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-term Care Nursing at Utokyo. She directs lectures and practical training in adult nursing for the undergraduate program. Additionally, she provides research guidance for graduate students.
Dr. Igarashi’ field of research is gerontological nursing, with research interests in quality evaluations of long-term care for older adults and the development of the Dementia-friendly Community (DFC). She is currently creating effective training programs to build the DFC, and to demonstrate methodologies of collaboration between municipal governments and community health and social care professionals that can be applied in the community. Recently, she conducted community-based participatory research promoting the collaboration between convenience stores, an important member in the community integrated care system, and professionals. She has developed, evaluated, and is currently trying to disseminate a virtual reality program to foster empathy for older adults with Dementia in community members that provide help.