POMPANO BEACH, Florida — 

Retired Army Colonel Farrell Patrick taught computer science at West Point during the 1970s and then at two private universities through the 1990s, so he isn’t surprised by the progress technology has made over the decades.

However, the 91-year-old was amazed when he tried virtual reality for the first time. He was sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, a retirement community in suburban Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As he watched and listened, Patrick sat up attentively as if he was actually in a Navy fighter jet flying over the Florida coast.

“Wow, that’s stunning,” he exclaimed as the VR simulation smoothly guided the jet to land on the aircraft carrier.

John Knox Village was among 17 senior communities nationwide that took part in a recent study conducted by Stanford University. The study, which involved 245 participants ranging from 65 to 103 years old, revealed that a majority of them experienced positive emotions and improved interactions with staff while using virtual reality technology.

This research is a component of a bigger project to modify virtual reality in order to improve the physical and emotional wellness of senior citizens and mitigate the effects of dementia on those affected.

Variety of experiences

Seniors were given a variety of seven-minute virtual experiences to test, including parachuting, riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with puppies and kittens, and visiting places like Paris or Egypt. They used headsets to fully immerse themselves in the experience, with 360-degree views and sounds that made it feel as though they were actually there.

Terry Colli, the former public relations director at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., reminisced about his 2022 journey and how it evoked memories of his travels and upbringing on a farm. The 76-year-old particularly enjoyed rotating in a chair to take in the panoramic view, calling it a remarkable experience.

Anne Selby, a 79-year-old retired therapist and creative, discovered that VR activated all of her senses and stimulated various parts of her brain.

She expressed a particular interest in the ones centered around pets because she has a cat and has had pets for the majority of her life.

A study conducted by Stanford, in collaboration with Mynd Immersive, showed that almost 80% of senior citizens experienced a more positive outlook after participating in a VR session. Additionally, nearly 60% reported feeling less socially isolated. However, for older individuals with impaired vision and hearing, the level of enjoyment decreased. Interestingly, those who did not enjoy the VR experience also tended to have a dislike for technology in general.

Furthermore, nearly 75% of caretakers reported an improvement in their residents’ moods following the use of VR technology. Additionally, over 80% of residents and approximately 95% of caretakers noted that discussing their VR experiences positively impacted their inter-personal relationships.

According to Ryan Moore, a doctoral candidate at Stanford who assisted with the research, most of the participants had never used virtual reality before but had a positive experience. They were also inclined to recommend it to others and expressed enthusiasm for using it again.

“We are demonstrating that VR is an effective tool for improving the well-being of our senior citizens,” stated Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of Mynd. The company, based in Texas, is among a select few that focuses on providing virtual reality experiences for older adults. “It offers a vastly different experience compared to watching TV or using an iPad in two dimensions.”

Residents with dementia

John Knox Village utilizes virtual reality in their specialized unit for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This technology aids in triggering memories and promoting conversations between the residents and caregivers.

According to Hana Salem, the coordinator for meaningful life at the facility, it seems that individuals come alive again when they share their story. She also mentioned that those who are typically quiet become more engaged after experiencing virtual reality in a natural setting.

Salem mentioned that when seniors participate in a game created by Mynd, they often joke about catching butterflies while working on improving their mobility and flexibility by standing up and reaching for objects.

According to Brickler, seniors find it more enjoyable to participate in activities like catching butterflies and doing shoulder rehabilitation exercises instead of simply lifting weights.

Brickler mentioned that his company’s systems will soon be able to connect with Google Earth. This will allow seniors to virtually explore the neighborhoods they used to live in, the schools they went to, and the places they have visited. This can lead to more discussions and interactions with their caregivers.

According to Brickler, virtual visits have the ability to bring back an abundance of happiness and memories. When a therapist or other caregiver engages with an older adult during these visits and discusses what they observe, there is a noticeable boost in mood.

According to the spokesperson, the company addressed the top grievances expressed by older adults in the research regarding VR. These included the weight and heat of the headsets, as well as potential feelings of nausea during use. The updated headsets now weigh approximately 6 ounces (189 grams), have a built-in cooling fan, and provide a smoother viewing experience.

Moore stated that the results indicate that individuals in their 80s and 90s may not derive as much enjoyment from VR compared to those in their 70s. This could potentially lead to adjustments for this age group, such as reducing the need for neck movement and increasing the size of the visuals.

At John Knox, a small group of elderly individuals who live on their own had the opportunity to try out virtual reality. Pete Audet got to experience the sensation of flying in a wingsuit, gliding over snow-covered mountains and eventually landing in a field.

Audet, a 76-year-old retired IT worker, enthusiastically exclaimed “Wow, stop running!” He believes that his fellow seniors will greatly appreciate it, but they simply need to learn how to utilize it.

Karen’s attention was fully absorbed by her virtual stroll through Paris and playing with puppies, causing her to miss any questions directed at her.

Karen Audet, a retired elementary school teacher at the age of 82, exclaimed, “I was present there, but I am currently here!”

The retired Army computer specialist, Farrell, expressed his desire to live until the age of 100 as he predicts significant advancements in VR technology within the next five years. Despite his retirement, he remains passionate about technology and anticipates a significant decrease in the cost of systems, making it accessible for people of all ages, including seniors, in their daily lives.

“It won’t be as simple as it currently is. It will be highly lifelike and extremely responsive,” he stated. “It may even have a direct connection to your brain.”

Source: voanews.com