Virtual reality is transforming recreation for long-term care residents in Canada, offering immersive experiences like African safaris and reducing isolation.
TORONTO — Ingrid Menezes gestures toward herself as she takes in the sight of an African wilderness. 'Come on zebra, come,' she says as she starts to pet the air above her lap. 'What else do you see Ingrid?' asks Dorothy Laugo, a recreation assistant running the virtual reality session on a tablet as the duo sits side-by-side in a Toronto long-term care home. The 71-year-old Menezes looks up, down and around, then points to the floor to the left of her wheelchair.
'Is this a rhinoceros?' she asks. 'Yes,' Laugo says, smiling. But she knows what Menezes is looking forward to the most. 'I think this is your favourite — what do you see?' she asks. 'The giraffe,' Menezes says, looking up. 'He's beautiful.' After Laugo gently lifts the VR goggles from her head, Menezes says 'Oh!' as her African safari disappears and she sees the other people in the common room. 'Welcome to the real world,' Laugo says. Menezes moved to Kennedy Lodge in east Toronto after brain surgery about five years ago. She's one of a growing number of long-term care residents in Canada who are getting virtual reality as part of their recreation programs. Proponents say the technology not only provides entertainment but can help reduce isolation by encouraging residents to share their virtual experiences with recreation staff, fellow residents and family members. The 15 to 20 minute sessions can also reach and comfort many long-term care residents with dementia, they say. In an emailed statement, the Canadian Association for Long Term Care said it 'supports technology like VR as an additional tool staff can use to enhance the quality of life and care for long-term care (LTC) residents.' 'Looking ahead to 2025, CALTC is prioritizing the rapid development of technology and its effective integration into LTC settings,' said Jodi Hall, the CEO of the associatio
VIRTUAL REALITY LONG TERM CARE RECREATION DEMENITIA TECHNOLOGY
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