How Virtual Reality Enhances Mental Health And Wellness For Seniors

Virtual reality (VR) technology has been adopted by caregivers across North America to improve the quality of life of older adults. With a VR headset, novel techniques used in everything from physical therapy to reminiscence therapy become available. Here's what you need to know:

Virtual Reality: A Game-Changer For Senior Health And Well-Being

No two people are exactly alike, but we all share some fundamental needs: Social connection. Novelty and exploration. The chance to reminisce about the past.

For seniors, especially seniors living with disabilities that limit their ability to move or communicate, these needs are sometimes unmet. Tools that help us meet these needs are in high-demand - and virtual reality (VR) is one such tool.

With VR, seniors can travel to far-off lands they've never visited, or connect with new friends from across the globe - all without even having to leave their room. Incredible strides have been made with the technology; let's explore some of the benefits of VR together:

The Psychological Impact Of Virtual Reality On Seniors

Alleviating Anxiety & Depression With Immersive Experiences

Virtual reality technology allows older adults to enjoy novel experiences, or even to visit their hometowns virtually - places they may not have visited in decades. The research on how these experiences impact anxiety and depression is still new - but most of it is quite positive.

One peer-reviewed study from Stanford found that nearly 80% of seniors reported having a more positive attitude after a VR session; almost 75% of caregivers agreed that residents' moods improved after using VR.

Virtual reality experiences range from enjoying a virtual hot air balloon ride to swimming underwater; experiences that are often completely novel to both seniors and their caregivers.

Reducing Social Isolation Using Virtual Social Spaces

The same Stanford study found that almost 60% of seniors felt less socially isolated after using VR; more than 80% of residents and almost 95% of caregivers found that talking about their VR experience enhanced their relationships with each other.

This is possible because VR experiences do not take place in isolation; several people can have the same VR experience simultaneously, and can talk to each other about the experience.

Another well-cited study found that VR technology shows "potential to enhance the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of older adults," with the study noting that participants related well to those around them during the experience.

Benefits Of Virtual Reality For Seniors

There are numerous studies of anecdotal evidence indicating that VR can:

• Improve mood
• Decrease anxiety and depression
• Improve socialization
• Improve memory recollection and cognition
• Improve motor skills and physical well-being

VR experiences can be personalized to the individual or groups participating in the experience. A family can get together and explore their hometown in VR, remembering the experiences they had together. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an older adult and their friends could experience a novel trip together, getting close-ups with giraffes or dolphins or experiencing virtual roller coasters.

Virtual reality activities are almost as diverse as the benefits; from low-activity strolls through a virtual neighbourhood to challenging games, the benefits all depend on the people using the technology.

VR For Dementia: A New Approach To Cognitive Rehabilitation

A well-cited study published in 2021 analyzed 19 other studies on the value of VR as a tool for improving quality of life and well-being in persons with dementia. The review found that VR is a promising tool for promoting well-being, with a positive or neutral impact on emotional, social, and functional aspects of well-being.

Since that study was published, several more (though less well-cited) studies have been published that indicate that VR helps with improving cognition and enhancing well-being.

VR is a non-pharmacological intervention which is of great importance, as pharmacological interventions can have deleterious side effects and contraindications. Almost anyone can use VR (though people with epilepsy and other conditions may not be able to); this makes it a versatile tool for caregivers.

Virtual Reality For Physical And Emotional Wellness

A recent analysis of several studies from 2013 to 2023 indicates improvement in balance and gait through the use of VR; another recent study found that VR is feasible for reducing both pain and anxiety.

These studies are less well-cited (in part due to their recency), but both indicate that VR can help improve physical wellness in older adults. The link between VR and emotional wellness has already been established (see the studies linked above).

The link between physical health and mental health is well established; VR can improve both physical and emotional well-being, making it an incredibly useful tool.

Overcoming Adoption Barriers To Virtual Reality In Senior Care

One study found that lower acceptance of VR is related to a higher capacity to organize daily activities and stronger interpersonal relationships. This is unsurprising; if a person's daily life is already filled with meaningful activities, they may feel less of a need to explore VR as a means of socialization.

Another study found that VR is a viable tool, but that using VR properly requires time, money, and both resources and attention from caregivers and older adults. Buy-in from everyone involved is important.

One study focused specifically on virtual reality and pain therapy found that the use of movement limitation, the presentation of everyday scenarios, biofeedback, age-appropriate feedback, and exercise of a maximum duration of 30 minutes (with 15 minutes of relaxation) could help elderly patients with chronic back pain perform exercises.

VR continues to be adopted by caregivers and seniors; the barriers are not nearly as insurmountable as they may seem. Talking to your loved ones about VR as a care tool is a good idea; so is discussing it with their care team, and learning about it yourself. Most seniors enjoy VR once they give it a try, as evidenced by the studies and statistics we've just analyzed.

Get The Support You Need With Right At Home Winnipeg

The use of immersive virtual reality technology is not limited to senior living communities; seniors living at home and their loved ones can access VR technology. The team at Right at Home Winnipeg can help; our caregivers and companions are happy to use VR technology to connect with seniors and their families.

Why Right at Home?

• Over 20 years of experience. Right at Home has been providing award winning customized senior care and home care for over 20 years.
• YOUR Caregivers are all part of YOUR Care Team. This means that there is no revolving door of Personal Support Workers and Nurses. With the help of your Care Planner, you choose and get to know them. This leads to an level of care for your loved one that is unsurpassed in our industry.
• Working with government support. Your Care Planner will work to help you find the government supports you are eligible for (if you would like them) and then work to find a solution for the care needs that go above what government and family can do. We will also work around the government care plan so that we are enhancing it.

We help in home, wherever home is to you.

Our Caregivers are always out in the community visiting homes, Retirement Residences, Long Term Care (LTC), hospices and hospitals.