Last update on 2024-07-21 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Many old people experience loneliness and boredom, along with various physical illnesses, because of outdated healthcare practices. This is where VR comes into action, dazzling seniors with new experiences to get the juices flowing again!
Read on to find out what you should consider when introducing VR into their lives, and get the best VR headset for your grandparents!
What Can Seniors Benefit From VR?
Doctors, nurses, and therapists are constantly trying to develop new plans and activities to improve the seniors’ lives.
Fortunately, in the past few years, many studies took place on seniors, and several VR apps, games, and activities were developed to change all that:
Keeping the Brain Active
As the years go by, we tend to use our brains less and less. But the truth is, humans need to keep their brains stimulated, active, and responsive to have a healthy mind and body.
VR headsets let seniors play brain-stimulating games, engage in activities they haven’t been able to do in years, travel all around the globe, and so on.
Retired artists can paint again, mountain climbers can go on journeys, and the elderly can even visit outer space or the ocean floor.
VR allows seniors to take a trip down memory lane by visiting their childhood home, going back to their wedding venue, and so on. That can help with mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
VR can also improve the life expectancy of the elderly by letting them cross items from their bucket list, like visiting Paris or watching the northern lights.
Improve Social Life
To reduce loneliness, VR provides experiences that seniors can participate in together.
For instance, by using different headsets, they can all go on a tour around the world or watch a movie and talk about it. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and purpose.
Improve Physical Life
It isn’t fun to sit on a bike or run on a treadmill while staring at a wall! VR makes exercising fun by creating beautiful landscapes in the jungle, beach, or any other place the senior can enjoy while exercising.
Also, many games can get old people moving, even those with impairments.
What to Look for When Buying VR Headset for Elderly
When the VR experience is for the elderly, the most critical aspect to consider is the ease of use. That is especially true if you’re purchasing the headset as a gift, and you won’t always be there to set it up for them.
VR headsets that need high-end PCs or consoles to operate aren’t suitable for seniors. Standalone VRs are the best option, and phone VRs stand in the second place, considering it’s easier to use them. Get more information about what VR headsets can connect to.
The headsets should be easy to put on, light, and comfortable to wear. Ensure the VR headset allows people to wear glasses since so many seniors need their glasses to see.
Motion sickness is the side effect of many VR games, but the headset itself plays a vital role in the matter.
So, be sure to get a high-quality headset that has fewer reports of causing nausea.
Lastly, if the headset is for nursing homes and the elderly will share it, consider headsets that are easy to clean and disinfect after each use.
If you’re worried about VR headsets needing speedy internet connections, this article can help.
Best VR Headset for Elderly
Oculus Quest 2
Last update on 2024-07-21 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the most affordable and user-friendly VR headsets available. It’s a standalone VR, meaning you can just put it on and start working with it without the need for any pre-existing equipment.
The headset is light and comfortable to wear, with integrated speakers and a mic. The image resolution is high, refresh rate runs up to 90Hz, eliminating motion sickness with a smoother experience.
Six degrees of freedom allows movement and playing more complicated games.
Oculus Quest 2 has built-in outward-facing cameras that track the head and hands’ movements without the need for external trackers.
The inside-out tracking technology is also a guardian system, warning you if you get close to the edges of the room. The Quest 2 hand controllers are very intuitive and easy to use.
Pros
- High-quality resolution.
- High refresh rate.
- Standalone.
- Built-in tracking sensors.
- Smart hand controllers.
- Integrated mic and speakers.
- Protective system.
- Comfortable and affordable.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Limited battery life.
- Needs a Facebook account for sign-up.
Merge VR Headset
Last update on 2024-07-21 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The Merge VR headset is a phone VR compatible with most phones. It’s famous for being the most suitable VR headset for children since it’s really easy to work with. The straightforward set-up makes it a great option for the elderly, as well.
The Merge headset is made of comfortable foam, making it prone to damage if you drop it. It’s also easy to clean.
This headset connects to both Android and iOS devices. It can fit a wide variety of phones from 123 to 158mm in size, and they slip in the slot easily without needing any particular setup.
The merge provides 360-degree videos with 96° FOV. You can adjust the lens’s IPD to suit your eye.
This headset lets you take virtual field trips with the help of different brands, including National Geographic, NASA, Discovery, BBC, and so on. It’s also capable of providing augmented reality.
Pros
- Easy to set up and work with.
- Compatible with most phones.
- Comfortable and light.
- 360-degree videos with 96° FOV.
- Water and shock-resistant.
- Easy to clean.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Not so interactive.
- Merge apps aren’t included.
Samsung Gear
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The Samsung Gear VR is a phone headset, meaning you should put a smartphone in the front compartment to play games, watch 360-degree movies, and so on.
The Gear VR works with most Samsung phones, but not other brands.
The Home/back buttons and volume controls are on the right side of the headset. Plus, there’s a turning wheel on top that lets you customize the distance between the display lenses and phone for a clearer image.
The Samsung Gear comes with a smart controller that lets you drop, point, select and drag by waving your wrist.
Pros
- Simplicity of use.
- High-quality experience.
- Smart controller.
- Customizable lens distance.
- Comfortable.
Cons
- Only works with Samsung.
- Limited battery life.
Final Thoughts and Best Pick
VR is meant to create meaningful experiences for the elderly without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes or the living center.
The more straightforward the set-up process and the more activities it offers, the more they’ll enjoy it.
Considering all the fantastic qualities it offers, the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset could be the best pick for children and youngsters, as well as senior citizens.
