Virtual Reality (VR) 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 VR means the residents can now 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 smartphone, 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 good fun is simply at the heart of everything it does.

Using a sensory approach allows residents to interact with the environment and others around them. VR is an ideal style of sensory stimulus that allows residents to use peripheral vision, movement, balance and sound to be absorbed into another world.

88-year-old resident Ray often talks about his desire to travel to Egypt. Thanks to VR, Ray was able to see the ancient sights of pharaohs, pyramids, sand and palm trees. Ray found the experience entirely thrilling and convincing.

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 felt like she was truly strapped into a rollercoaster that was flying through the sky at high speed.

Stokeleigh has plans to continue using Virtual Reality technology to stimulate responses, share new experiences, conjure up new memories, encourage interaction and awareness of different surroundings.

https://www.hartfordcare.co.uk/stokeleigh2