Virtual Reality for Caregivers: We All Get Some

It always gets more confusing when you bring the caregiver into the mix.

Same, same. Virtual Reality pertains to both the caregiver and the person they care for.

You’ve heard of VR for the elderly, and you’ve heard of VR for caregivers.

But today I’m talking about more consumer-friendly possibilities.

I’m saying, VR headsets you can buy might offer surprising benefits in a household managing the care of an elderly family member, and for more than one family member. I’m talking about industry best value Meta Quest or the less-expensive VR SHINECON, the type of VR for which everyone who can responsibly afford it can buy.

• How to start using VR with iPhone.
• How to use a smartphone VR headset for the first time.

Ya’ll can enjoy VR separately and together if you want.

VR for the Elderly vs VR for Caregivers of the Elderly

Everyone can enjoy VR the way they like using one VR headset. You’ve got to know:

• The caregiver benefits when they experience VR themselves.
• The caregiver benefits when their care partner experiences VR.

If you’re a family caregiver, consider the purchase of a VR headset to be used by both you and the person you care for, you’d better buy a VR headset that works for both care partners.

I’m excited to witness VR in elder care more and more. It’s affordable, delightful, connected technology that has only begun to find its place in professional and non-professional caregiving scenarios.

I believe consumer technology of this type - Internet-Connected Virtual Reality - can empower the caregiver.

Three’s a crowd in today's individualized elder care system. 

The care professional supports elderly patient. Person A to Person B.

The care professional supports the non-professional caregiver of an elderly patient. Person A to Person B.

Because the virtual reality headset is enjoyed by all members of caregiving families - in different ways based on individual needs and preference.

Rather than taking whatever Person A’s gonna give, Person B can choose for themselves.

Real Examples of VR for Pairs of People Who Give and Receive Care

1. VR for caregiver wellbeing

Researchers at MSU College of Nursing sent VR headset to caregivers and asked them to “take a virtual vacation”. It’s an example of caregiver mental health support. The researchers both entertained the caregiver, and recorded data of the caregivers health. Both took place when the caregiver was wearing the headset. The study wants to learn if VR can improve caregivers’ quality of life.

What if you wanted a counselor or therapist - and wanted them in VR? Mental health professionals themselves can buy services like Amelia, which is kinda like BetterHelp in VR. Consumers can’t “join a platform”. So online therapy using VR is still very rare in 2023.

2. VR for elderly person wellbeing

The most obvious area that VR is being used for in elder care, is for that of the elderly patient. Several studies are testing methods to use virtual reality to promote wellbeing in persons with aging-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. The results so far? VR is a promising tool to promote wellbeing of persons with dementia.

3. Freeing up time for one care partner while the other care partner is using VR

News flash! The real best reason why VR is good for caregivers and the elderly is because both caregivers and the elderly can use VR.

I’m in the process of equipping my family with VR, so that my dad (with Parkinson’s and dementia), and my mom (primary caregiver to my dad) can take breaks from each other and argue less.

4. Training a caregiver how to give care

This example enriches caregiver empathy, by putting caregivers in the shoes of someone with dementia. You (the virtual reality developer) could develop training materials in 3D space where caregivers in training can deliver care real-life caregiving scenario simulations such as the ADLs or iADLs.

5. Training a caregiver how to use VR to give care

We’re back to that part of caregiver empowerment, where the Person A to Person B status quo fails. The elderly person will more likely enjoy (adoption) and benefit from (retention) virtual reality when a well-trained caregiver delivers a personalized virtual reality experience to them.

6. Connecting family members through VR

Don’t forget VR is like immersive FaceTime, Zoom Calls, or Skype Talks. People who live in the same house can use VR to have fun together. People who live apart and have VR connected to the internet can use VR together too.