Client: Nursing home

Target: seniors

Type of project: App VR – Unity

Hardware VR: Oculus Quest 2

Scope: VR for healthcare

 

How to improve the life, or even the day, of elderly individuals, who are very often isolated or have reduced mobility? 
From this question came the idea of the project The Sky in a Room: a virtual reality application that offers RSA patients the possibility to explore any part of the world, any country, any street, in a completely immersive way, generating the perception of being right there.  A way to "escape" from the walls of the facility and move back into the world, to visit dreamed or loved places and release emotions. 

 Technologies such as virtual reality can indeed have physical, mental and social benefits for the elderly, among them:

  • Keeping the brain active - VR helps strengthen the neural connectors that support our sensory, motor and cognitive abilities, enabling improved cognition.
  • Encouraging movement - while exploring new places in virtual reality, movement is a natural reaction. This leads to improved physical health, given by engagement of the upper trunk, neck and core, arm movement, and reduced perception of physical pain.
  • Fostering social inclusion and sharing - VR can be used individually or in a group setting. Elderly people can then take "virtual trips" to visit new places or experience new activities together. This facilitates socialization, promotes feelings of belonging, improves self-esteem and strengthens physical and mental health.
  • Bring back memories - for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, virtual reality can provide a sense of comfort by evoking memories of the past.
  • Reduce pain - virtual reality can relieve physical pain and help manage chronic illness by providing a distraction during medical procedures that are uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing.
  • Strengthen relationships and prevent isolation - virtual reality can provide a fun and interactive activity that families can participate in when visiting their loved ones. Virtual reality can be especially engaging for grandchildren and helps foster intergenerational connections.