Ticking off aged care residents’ “bucket lists” – using virtual reality? It’s happening

Samsung will visit five Uniting aged care homes across NSW and the ACT with its VR headsets as part of a pilot program to see if the technology can help to reduce social isolation and keep residents more connected.

Residents at Annesley House in Sydney’s Haberfield are already taking part, with Samsung sourcing virtual content to help one resident ‘visit’ his hometown of Vancouver for the first time since he moved to Australia and another to ‘travel’ to Canada’s redwood forests.

Walking in their shoes

With over 50 per cent of people in aged care living with dementia, virtual reality is proving a valuable tool – and not just for residents.

As part of the pilot, Uniting carers will also be able to use the Samsung technology to live a day in the life of a resident with dementia.

Uniting says the content, developed by Alzheimer’s Research UK, should give carers a better idea of the stresses and confusion experienced by residents – and help them improve their care plans and interactions with them.

An important point. As they say, there’s nothing like walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.