The Forest Project utilizes the Unreal Engine 4, Smart-enabled TVs and Microsoft Kinect 2 to create an immersive experience in the form of virtual worlds.

There are two serious illnesses affecting elderly around the world – Alzheimer's and dementia. While cures would be the perfect option for patients suffering from said cognitive diseases, until research and science combine to produce such results, we're left with technology attempting to make lives that bit more bearable.

As well as helping patients with temporary reprieves, the technology also aims to help improve overall care by providing support teams with simulation to better understand how their patients see the world. The developers are currently running crowdfunding to reach a goal of AU$90,000 and further improve the project with beach or Christmas-themed environments.

Opaque Multimedia (www.opaquemultimedia.com) is working with Alzheimer's Australia Vic (www.fightdementia.org.au/victoria) on the Virtual Dementia Experience (VDE). Be sure to check out respective websites for more information.

The developers will be at the Game Developer's Conference this week, so we could well see more details be revealed for future plans and whatnot. Want to help out? Donate what you can to the project to see it further develop.

via: Engadget; thanks, Laura, for the tip!