"Like many retirement communities, The Terraces serves as a tranquil refuge for a nucleus of older people who no longer can travel to faraway places or engage in bold adventures. But they can still be thrust back to their days of wanderlust and thrill-seeking whenever caretakers at the community in Los Gatos, California, schedule a date for residents many of whom are in their 80s and 90s to take turns donning virtual reality headsets."
"The selection of VR programming was curated by Rendever, a company that has turned a sometimes isolating form of technology into a catalyst for better cognition and social connections in 800 retirement communities in the United States and Canada. A group of The Terraces residents who participated in a VR session earlier this year found themselves paddling their arms alongside their chairs as they swam with a pod of dolphins while watching one of Rendever's 3D programs."
Residents at The Terraces in Los Gatos, California, use virtual reality headsets to visit Europe, explore ocean depths, and soar on hang-gliding expeditions while seated. The VR programming was curated by Rendever, which deploys the technology in 800 retirement communities across the United States and Canada to foster cognition and social connections. Participants physically react to immersive scenes, paddling their arms when watching dolphins or gasping during hot-air balloon rides. VR sessions can also recreate childhood neighborhoods, allowing long-absent residents to revisit formative places. Residents in their 80s and 90s report emotional and engaging experiences that complement limited physical travel options.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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