A recent study reveals that over half of the largest senior care providers in the United States have integrated virtual reality (VR) into their services, significantly enhancing the ageing experience.
The “Evolution of VR in Senior Care” report, conducted by immersive healthcare solutions provider Rendever, highlights the widespread adoption of VR technology in the senior care industry. The research underscores VR’s role in improving cognitive, emotional, and physical health among older adults.
Kyle Rand, CEO and co-founder of Rendever, noted:
“We’re seeing VR utilisation rates skyrocket within senior care, and it makes perfect sense. Most of today’s 65-year-olds have lived through multiple stages of technology advancements — this demographic is anything but tech-averse. Technology that improves their ageing experience is a necessity, and VR adoption is showing what’s possible.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Widespread Adoption: Over 50% of major US senior care providers are now utilising VR.
- Increased Engagement: In the past eight years, 1,950 days have been dedicated to VR sessions in senior care settings through Rendever, with approximately 43% occurring in the last 12 months. Overall, Rendever sessions have increased by more than 70% year-over-year.
- Popular Settings: Assisted living facilities lead in VR usage (26.6%), followed by memory care (22.6%) and long-term care settings (11.6%).
One standout programme, RendeverFit™, combines physical activity with cognitive stimulation and social engagement. Participants aged 65 to 99 who engaged with RendeverFit™ twice weekly for four weeks experienced:
- Enhanced mobility
- 44% reduction in pain interference
- 48% decrease in fear of falling
- 33% reduction in feelings of loneliness
- 36% improvement in trust within their senior living communities
Rand concluded:
“For many, VR is still new, but it’s one of the pieces of technology that older adults have adopted with impressive eagerness and meaning. With benefits ranging across cognitive stimulation, social engagement, and therapeutic interventions, it’s no wonder that the excitement surrounding VR in senior care is palpable.”
In a related development, Lenovo has partnered with Rendever to supply ThinkReality VRX headsets to elderly patients at the Carolina Caring facility. This collaboration aims to enhance the quality of life for seniors by providing immersive VR experiences, especially beneficial for those with limited mobility.
Source: https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/over-half-of-major-us-senior-care-providers-now-use-vr/
Image Credit: XR Today
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