Introduction to Virtual Reality for Seniors
Virtual reality (VR) technology has made tremendous progress over the many years, and its potential to learn seniors’ health and emotional well-being is being explored. A recent study by Stanford University found that giant majorities of seniors enjoyed virtual reality, improving each their emotions and interactions with staff. The study involved 17 senior communities across the country, including John Knox Village in Florida, where 91-year-old retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick had his first VR experience.
The Study’s Findings
The study found that just about 80% of seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session, and almost 60% said they felt less isolated socially. The enjoyment lessened somewhat for older respondents whose sight and hearing had deteriorated. Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more prone to dislike technology basically. Additionally, almost 75% of caregivers said residents’ moods improved after using VR, and greater than 80% of residents and almost 95% of caregivers said talking about their VR experience enhanced their relationships with one another.
Virtual Reality Experiences for Seniors
During the testing, seniors picked from seven-minute virtual experiences corresponding to parachuting, riding in a tank, watching stage performances, fidgeting with puppies and kittens, or visiting places like Paris or Egypt. The participants wore headsets that gave them 360-degree views and sounds, making it look like they’d been all but dropped into the actual experience. Terry Colli, a 76-year-old former public relations director, enjoyed swiveling in a chair to get a panoramic view, saying it was "kind of fantastic." Anne Selby, a 79-year-old retired counselor and artist, found VR "stimulated virtually every area of my brain, all the senses."
Benefits of Virtual Reality for Seniors
The study’s findings suggest that VR is usually a useful tool for improving the well-being of seniors. Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of Mynd Immersive, an organization that focuses on virtual reality for seniors, said, "We are proving VR to be a tool that basically does help with the well-being of our elders." VR may also help spur memories, resulting in conversations with caregivers, and may even help seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Hana Salem, the meaningful life coordinator at John Knox Village, said, "It is like they arrive back to life once they tell their story."
Future Developments in Virtual Reality for Seniors
Mynd Immersive is working to deal with the most important complaints seniors had about VR, corresponding to heavy headsets, heat, and nausea. The company is developing recent headsets which might be lighter, cooler, and fewer jumpy. They are also working on attaching their systems to Google Earth, so seniors can virtually visit neighborhoods where they lived, schools they attended, and places they’ve visited. This can bring back an amazing amount of joy and memories, and may provide an uplift for seniors.
Conclusion
The study’s findings and the experiences of seniors who’ve used VR suggest that it may possibly be a useful tool for improving their health and emotional well-being. As VR technology continues to evolve, it’s prone to turn out to be an increasingly essential a part of seniors’ lives. With its potential to enhance moods, reduce social isolation, and stimulate memories, VR is an exciting development in the sphere of senior care. As retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick said, "It is just not going to be as elementary because it is now. It goes to be very realistic and really responsive."
