Seniors Embrace Virtual Reality: Study Shows Immersive Experiences Improve Emotions and Social Interactions
Virtual reality has been found to improve the emotions and interactions of seniors, according to a study by Stanford University. Seniors between the ages of 65 and 103 enjoyed a variety of virtual experiences, including parachuting, stage performances, and playing with pets. Almost 80% of seniors reported a more positive attitude after their virtual reality session.
Virtual reality (VR) has taken the world by storm, captivating people of all ages with its immersive experiences. But a recent study conducted by Stanford University has found that seniors, ranging from 65 to 103 years old, are also embracing this technology and reaping its benefits. The study, which involved 245 participants from 17 senior communities across the country, revealed that virtual reality not only improved their emotions but also enhanced their interactions with staff.
Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick, a 91-year-old participant, was left stunned by his first virtual reality experience. Sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, a retirement community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Patrick was transported into the cockpit of a Navy fighter jet flying off the coast of Florida. As the VR program brought the jet in for a landing on an aircraft carrier, Patrick couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my God, that's beautiful."
During the study, seniors were given the opportunity to choose from a variety of seven-minute virtual experiences, including parachuting, riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with puppies and kittens, or visiting famous landmarks like Paris or Egypt. Equipped with headsets that provided 360-degree views and sounds, the participants felt as though they had been fully immersed in these experiences.
For Terry Colli, a 76-year-old former public relations director, the virtual reality experience brought back memories of his travels and his childhood on a farm. Anne Selby, a 79-year-old retired counselor and artist, found that VR stimulated every area of her brain and all of her senses. She particularly enjoyed the experiences involving pets, as she has had a cat for most of her life.
The study revealed that nearly 80% of seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session, and almost 60% felt less socially isolated. However, enjoyment of virtual reality decreased for older participants with deteriorating sight and hearing. Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more likely to have a general dislike for technology.
Caregivers also noticed significant improvements in residents' moods after using VR, with almost 75% reporting positive changes. Furthermore, more than 80% of residents and nearly 95% of caregivers said that discussing their VR experiences enhanced their relationships with each other.
Ryan Moore, a Stanford doctoral candidate involved in the research, expressed his excitement about the results, stating, "For the majority of our respondents, it was their first time using virtual reality. They enjoyed it. They were likely to recommend it to others, and they looked forward to doing it again." Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of Mynd Immersive, a company specialising in virtual reality for seniors, emphasised the positive impact of VR on elders' well-being.
John Knox Village, one of the participating communities, has already been using virtual reality to assist seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The technology helps stimulate memories and encourages conversations with caregivers. Hana Salem, the facility's meaningful life coordinator, shared that seniors who are typically quiet become more engaged when given a VR experience in nature. Mynd has even developed a game involving catching butterflies to enhance seniors' mobility and flexibility.
Looking ahead, Brickler revealed that his company's systems will soon integrate with Google Earth, allowing seniors to virtually revisit their old neighborhoods, schools, and favorite places. These virtual visits have the potential to bring back cherished memories and spark meaningful conversations with caregivers.
Despite some challenges, such as heavy headsets and discomfort caused by heat and motion sickness, the study's findings have paved the way for improvements in VR technology for seniors. Lighter headsets with built-in cooling systems are being developed, and adjustments are being made to accommodate the specific needs of older adults.
As virtual reality continues to evolve, seniors like Pete Audet, a 76-year-old retiree, are excited about the possibilities. Audet recently experienced the thrill of flying in a wingsuit over snow-capped mountains through VR. He believes that other seniors will also enjoy this technology once they learn how to use it.
With the potential for VR to become more realistic and responsive in the future, retired Army computer expert Farrell Patrick, who hopes to live to 100, envisions a world where virtual reality is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, even for seniors. He believes that the next five years will bring about momentous changes in VR technology, making it an essential part of our lives.
Virtual reality has been found to improve the emotions and interactions of seniors, according to a study by Stanford University.
Seniors between the ages of 65 and 103 enjoyed a variety of virtual experiences, including parachuting, stage performances, and playing with pets.
Almost 80% of seniors reported a more positive attitude after their virtual reality session.
Source: AP NEWS