Among the many new technologies that have emerged on the market, virtual reality offers a lot of possibilities for exploration because it can be used in different industries, including aged care. The technology has arrived at the right time, and mobile devices have been widely used by the elderly. Although they usually lag behind their young counterparts, for users over the age of 65, having a smartphone also gives the elderly a release.
Smartphones are also at the heart of many VR devices. They can be connected directly to a wearable device or wireless connection to present a virtual reality image. Most advanced phones are compatible devices for head-mounted displays because they provide powerful features to run high-definition VR applications. In a published article, technical resource O2 mentions that smartphones have improved the most important features and can provide users with a seamless experience (battery, monitor, connection, operating system, etc.).
But even with the basic knowledge of smartphones, are older people ready to accept VR?
VR can make you more relaxed
Dr. Sonya Kim tested a new virtual reality program for the elderly. She chose 103-year-old Virginia Anderlini to try out the demo version of the program. In fact, Andreini was just sitting on her old sofa in her San Francisco house, but in the virtual world, she was watching her on the beach in Hawaii, watching the sunset, surrounded by calm seas. .
Anderlini is part of Dr. Kim's Aloha VR program, designed to help people relax and provide a calm environment for those who can't go out. The immersive world provides an escape space that allows them to forget the objective existence of chronic pain, anxiety, and the fact that they are lonely," Dr. Kim said.
VR is also a good solution for preventing Alzheimer's disease. One out of 1/9 of people aged 65 and over has Alzheimer's disease, which can easily lead to dementia. VR can treat chronic pain, anxiety and depression, which are three common symptoms in patients with dementia.
Dr. Kim said, “Dementia patients often feel lost because they feel they don’t belong anywhere. “Most old people are alienated from their surroundings or who they are, or alienated from their families. Dr. Kim introduced their beautiful and tranquil beach scenery. He said: "I want them to feel it again.
Social relationship VR
Although they have friends and living facilities in the nursing home to assist their lives, some elderly people are also eager to have external contact with other people, even if they are very old. As a solution, Steven Baker and many other researchers have launched a VR platform that goes beyond the public isolation of older people.
“Partners die of age or limit their ability to lead to the isolation of older people. Some of them avoid the outside world because of their appearance. This VS study solves this problem. This idea helps older people overcome this obstacle,†Baker's report.
The platform enables them to meet other participants' avatars, communicate with them, and conduct a variety of adventures. The use of avatars will help older people introduce themselves to the online community.
Exercise in VR
Virtual reality not only provides exercise on the brain, but also helps them increase their desire to actively exercise. Research at the University of Aalborg in Denmark shows that the technology can motivate older people in nursing homes to exercise. Even with adequate fitness facilities and physical therapists, many of them still don't like sports because exercise can cause physical pain.
The research project hopes to train the digital experience for the elderly. They conducted a study in which a large TV screen was placed in front of an exercise bike. When they pedal, the user can see a variety of virtual landscapes, and the speed is determined by their output on the bike connected to the screen. Currently, participants in the program have increased their fitness levels. It has achieved such success, and many residents and their relatives have asked for technology to be a permanent tool.
While virtual reality and other new technologies provide an effective way to maintain physical and mental shape, nothing can replace human interaction. Older people still need to be comfortable in the environment in which they live. However, VR is a great choice for those who can no longer travel to beautiful destinations and communicate with others because it can provide them with the need to escape from their standard day to stay at home.
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