Communications of the ACM
VR Brings Joy to People in Assisted-Living Facilities
Virtual Reality is being embraced by an increasing number of long-term-care communities, which are turning to the devices to improve wellness and quality of life for this growing population.
Credit: Jahi Chikwendiu/Associated Press
Long-term care communities increasingly are using virtual reality (VR) devices and systems to improve residents' wellness and quality of life amid pandemic-related restrictions on visitors and activities.
Studies have documented the positive effects of the technology, with a 2018 field study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology finding that nearly 39% of assisted-living residents shown VR images related to travel and relaxation reported better perceived overall health.
Companies like MyndVR sell VR packages to senior-care facilities, while others like Embodied Labs use VR to train caregivers.
MyndVR's Paula Harder said, "Residents in our memory-care neighborhood have been observed to be more oriented to their surroundings...and even more coordinated in their speech and movement."
From The Wall Street Journal
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