Since April, residents of St. Therese Villa have been able to use the VirCube Flexi VR system. It projects immersive scenes 270 degrees around a cube, which residents can sit inside. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “They really love being able to feel like they’re getting out of the facility, which often, physically, they can’t,” said Heather Larocque, activities assistant at St. Therese. The space also offers residents the chance to play games and even do yoga. So far, the virtual tours of real-life locations have been the biggest hit. “I love it. Every chance I get, I’m there just trying to see what they have new. I’m not much of a game player, but I’ve tried it. It’s fun,” said resident Bonnie Thompson. It isn’t just seniors who are benefitting. Forty-three-year-old Rebecca Ellis suffers from a rare neurological condition that causes extensive nerve damage. The cube allows her to do things she never thought possible. “Growing up, I was never able to play Nintendo or Xbox, because I don’t use my hands very much. So, I couldn’t hold the remote. And having this clip on my wrists is really cool. I can just use my arms. It’s really fun,” said Ellis. Whether it’s playing games or seeing sights from around the world, the cube has had a positive impact on residents. It’s giving those who may lack mobility the chance to do activities how they want to and build a sense of freedom. “It means a lot because I don’t get out very much; I can’t do a lot. So, it’s cool to go in there and see different places and interact with different things that I’ll never be able to physically go to,” said Ellis.
