Key Takeaways:
- Virtual reality (VR) technology is being used in retirement communities to help older adults reconnect with their past, reduce social isolation, and improve cognitive function.
- Companies like Rendever and Mynd Immersive are providing VR programming tailored to senior living communities, with experiences ranging from virtual travel to music performances.
- Research suggests that VR can be a useful tool for older adults, helping to improve social connections, reduce stress, and even potentially slow down the effects of dementia.
- VR headsets can be an easier way for older people to interact with technology, and can help build relationships with younger people.
- The use of VR in retirement communities is becoming increasingly popular, with over 800 communities in the US and Canada already using Rendever’s technology.
Introduction to Virtual Reality in Retirement Communities
The Terraces, a retirement community in Los Gatos, California, is using virtual reality (VR) technology to help its residents reconnect with their past and reduce social isolation. The community has partnered with Rendever, a company that provides VR programming tailored to senior living communities. With the help of VR headsets, residents can take virtual trips to places they may not be able to visit in person, such as Europe or the ocean depths. The technology has been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and even potentially slow down the effects of dementia.
The Benefits of Virtual Reality for Older Adults
The use of VR in retirement communities has been shown to have a number of benefits for older adults. For example, it can help to improve social connections, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and even improve cognitive function. Residents at The Terraces have reported feeling a sense of wonder and excitement when using the VR headsets, and have even started conversations with each other about their shared experiences. The technology has also been shown to be an effective way to help older adults reconnect with their past, with one resident reporting that a virtual trip to her childhood neighborhood in New York City brought back fond memories.
How Virtual Reality Works in Retirement Communities
The VR programming provided by Rendever is curated to meet the needs of older adults, with experiences ranging from virtual travel to music performances. The headsets are easy to use, and residents can simply sit back and enjoy the experience without having to navigate complex technology. The VR sessions are typically led by a facilitator, who helps to guide the residents through the experience and encourages them to share their thoughts and feelings. The technology has been shown to be accessible even for those with dementia, with one resident at the Forum retirement community in Cupertino, California, seeming to enjoy a virtual hike through Glacier National Park despite being speechless due to his condition.
The Impact of Virtual Reality on Social Connections
The use of VR in retirement communities has been shown to have a positive impact on social connections. Residents who may not have previously interacted with each other are now striking up conversations and sharing their experiences. The technology has also been shown to help build relationships between older adults and their caregivers, with one resident reporting that her granddaughter was impressed by her use of VR. The VR sessions have become a conversation starter, with residents eager to share their experiences with each other and with staff members.
The Future of Virtual Reality in Retirement Communities
The use of VR in retirement communities is becoming increasingly popular, with over 800 communities in the US and Canada already using Rendever’s technology. The company has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the use of VR in reducing social isolation among seniors living at home and their caregivers. Other companies, such as Mynd Immersive, are also providing VR programming tailored to senior living communities. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative uses of VR in retirement communities, helping to improve the lives of older adults and reduce social isolation.
Expert Insights on Virtual Reality and Aging
Experts in the field of aging and technology are optimistic about the potential of VR to improve the lives of older adults. Katherine "Kate" Dupuis, a neuropsychologist and professor at Sheridan College in Canada, notes that VR can be a useful tool for older adults, but cautions that it should be used in moderation. Pallabi Bhowmick, a researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, notes that VR headsets can be an easier way for older people to interact with technology, and can help build relationships with younger people. Rendever CEO Kyle Rand, who founded the company after studying neuroengineering at Duke University, is passionate about the potential of VR to improve the lives of older adults, and is committed to continuing to develop innovative programming that meets their needs.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/donald-trump-christmas-tree-122525-3d7d7babcb564f6ea64e91728bcc57db.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Trump Era Sparks Cancellation of Annual Christmas Concert at Kennedy Center")
