A fantastic example of how VR helped an elderly lady who was too ill to fly to Italy to be with her son, yet was still able experience the big ‘I do’ moment as if she was there
Virtual Reality technology came to the rescue for one resident of Yorkare Homes’ Westfield Park Care Home.
Shirley, who suffers from dementia, sadly became too unwell to go to her son’s wedding in Italy but didn’t have to miss out on all the excitement of the special day, thanks to the ClassVR Virtual Reality system, supported by Avantis Systems and Adaptive IT Solutions.
ClassVR is a virtual and augmented reality set designed to raise engagement and increase knowledge for people of all ages and abilities.
Yorkare Homes had already bought the ClassVR headsets for all of its Care Homes, which have been used by the residents to try new experiences, including skydiving and walking the Great Wall of China, all from the safety of the Care Home. The headsets proved to be so successful, that the home decided to buy a 360-degree camera, to enable friends and family to capture their own recordings of events and trips that their relatives wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise.
It was this 360-degree camera, that allowed Shirley’s son, Ric to film the wedding service and celebrations, and play this back to Shirley upon his return using the ClassVR headset. Whilst watching the virtual reality video, Shirley commented on how lovely the wedding was, and was chatting with Ric about guests she hadn’t seen for many years.
“I continue to be impressed with the level of support and care mum receives at Westfield Park,” said Ric “Without their forward-thinking innovations, my mum wouldn’t have been able to experience our wedding. Even though it was only a virtual experience, Mum loved it and it meant the world to us that we were able to involve her in some way”
The ClassVR headsets have become a ‘great addition’ to the activity team at the care home, and the technology will be used for reminiscence therapy, where families can record places of interest and importance, and play them back to their loved ones, to try and stimulate special moments between loved ones.
AV Technology Europe Magazine will feature an extensive interview with AVANTIS, discussing ClassVR in the next issue out this month. To subscribe and receive your free copy, please click here
