Modern technology can be considered by some seniors as difficult to grasp while others still struggle to figure out how technological wonders benefit their day to day life. However, as COVID-19 forces seniors to stay at home, and self isolate, VR, or Virtual reality, can be that very thing that could significantly help during this difficult crisis.
VR, nowadays, is greatly helping organizations in continuing their operations amidst the standstill. COVID-19 did not stop a Boston, MA-based healthcare company from providing general support to their older patients, providing easy access to quality care from leading doctors, and building camaraderie by engaging them in group talks without leaving the comfort of their homes. Also, with the help of VR, people can still have yoga classes, not miss a single Church service, and even Formula One drivers are set to have virtual races in order to satisfy the need for speed of their fans.
With seniors being at a higher risk of infection, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% percent of the deaths linked to Corona virus were among adults aged 65 and older. However, as seniors are advised to stay at home in order not to risk infection, this might result to physical and mental health issues that will greatly affect their quality of life.
Isolation will result in older people being at a higher risk of suffering from high-blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.
In order to ward off the negative impact of isolation, seniors should be kept engaged and cognitively-stimulated in order to maintain their overall health. With such, this does not only improve their cognitive function, and maintain their emotional health, it will also boost their immune system, allow them to get the right amount of sleep, and add years to their lives.
How VR is Supporting Seniors During Corona Virus
As COVID-19 stops seniors from doing their usual and activities, this virus will not stop seniors from keeping engaged, and this is through the great wonders that Virtual Reality can provide. As more and more countries are on lockdowns and issuing travel bans, the transportive feature of VR allow seniors to keep their mind stimulated through VR programs that allow them to see the beauty of the world without stepping out from comfort.
Moreover, seniors with Dementia can take a trip down memory lane through VR, helping them recall the good times they’ve shared with their loved ones. This helps produce a positive mental stimulation which leads to reducing aggression, thereby helping their family members and caregivers to improve the type of care given to them.
They can also relive the feelings of joy and excitement since VR can also help them in rekindling old hobbies like fishing or maybe trying out a new hobby before actually experiencing it in real life, allowing them to test out the idea.
However, even though VR is experienced in a safe and controlled environment, mentors or the family members of seniors should not have any complacency when it comes to health and safety. There are two key points about hygiene that people should remember; one is wiping down the VR goggles, controllers, and other devices used with sterile wipes carefully. The second one is to be knowledgeable and implement safe infection prevention techniques, and adhering to procedures as required by facilities.
With COVID-19 being more contagious than the flu, it is advisable that people should carefully consider not sharing the device and acquire a pre-set up device which is already installed with the ideal programs based on the person’s interests, and overall health.
In order for people to get the most out of VR, it is important that each single individual will have his or her own device, and as this may sound expensive, providing each person with their own device allows them to have higher positive cognitive stimulation and therefore provide seniors with more excitement, and more entertainment or relaxing and calm moments according to their preference anytime and anywhere.
If you want to know about the 5 Step Process on using VR with seniors, click here.
