Care Residents Race Across the World Via Virtual Reality

Care Residents Race Across the World Via Virtual Reality

From breathtaking Scottish Highlands to charming Cornish coastline, stunning Alpine lakes and far-flung Thai temples, residents at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme are fulfilling their wanderlust wishlists thanks to virtual reality (VR) technology facilitating trips of a lifetime.

Racking up air miles from the comfort of their Lower Street home, the senior globetrotters – often purported to be technophobes – are instead embracing the opportunities on offer, taking themselves and their loved ones to dream destinations.

Meanwhile, academics at Keele University are researching the long-term effects of VR when used by those residing in care environments, measuring impact on participants’ mental health, their views on life, and overall wellbeing.

So far, anecdotal results are encouraging as resident Dot Edwards says, “Fantastic! You don’t think places like that exist!”

Emma Palin, experience and heritage coordinator at Belong Newcastle-under-Lyme, shares more detail: “We are always looking for ways for our customers to experience new things, and they’ve relished the chance to visit new places. They come away with a buzz and are keen to share their adventures. Many have been ‘travelling’ with their spouses, children, and grandchildren. It’s been wonderful to watch.”