Virtual reality technology is introducing a brand new, exciting world to residents who live at Stokeleigh care home in Bristol.
Travelling to Egypt and riding on a rollercoaster would normally be a tricky request to fulfil but virtual reality means the residents can live out their wildest wishes, in an instant.
Virtual reality is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment. Using a mobile ‘smart’ phone, an app is downloaded and a special 3D headset is used to hold the device in front of the eyes to experience sight, sound and kinaesthetic (physical movement) sensations.
Located in Stoke Bishop, Stokeleigh care home aims to help residents make the most of enjoying every single day and encourages them to try something new and different.
Using a sensory approach allows residents to interact with the environment and others around them. Virtual reality is an ideal style of sensory stimulus that allows residents to use peripheral vision, movement, balance and sound to be absorbed in to another world.
88-year-old Ray often talks about his desire to travel 2430 miles to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Thanks to virtual reality, Ray was able to see the ancient cities of pharaohs, pyramids, sand and palm trees. Ray found the experience entirely thrilling and convincing with reactions such as ‘wow, it’s amazing’.
Shirley choose the thrill-seeking experience of riding a rollercoaster in Blackpool which requires bravery and courage for most people. The 99-year-old old believed she was truly strapped in to a rollercoaster that was flying through the sky at high speed as she giggled and said, ‘I want to get off’.
As we age, our sensory systems gradually start to decline because our brain requires a minimal amount of input to remain alert and functioning. We strive to present new and exciting experiences to increase interaction and communication and lessen the effects of sensory deprivation such as hearing, and vision loss.
Stokeleigh has plans to continue using virtual reality technology to stimulates responses, share new experiences, conjure up new memories and encourage interaction and awareness of different surroundings.
