Virtual reality ‘something else’ to first-time senior users

Seniors got a chance to experience hiking, skiing and more using virtual reality as part of this year's Winterfest.

An Edmonton seniors housing provider says there is a benefit to introducing older demographics to new technology like virtual reality (VR).

At a winter festival at their housing facility on Friday, VR was used to transport the residents and visiting loved ones to ski resorts, hiking trails and national parks.

“That’s something else,” said Roland Beaudoin. “I’m impressed.”

His brother, Firmin, said he’d be interested in using it to travel.

“There’s lots of places I haven’t seen yet,” he told CTV News Edmonton.

Sakaw Terrace hosts the families of its residents for WinterFest annually.

Operator GEF Seniors Housing has been using Rendever’s VR since 2023 and now has 10 headsets across the organization.

“The benefit in virtual reality is the opportunity to introduce technology to seniors,” explained GEF’s life enrichment manager, Shelby Johnston. “Learning new things contributes to intellectual wellness and emotional wellness when it’s fostered around connection and building social relationships through shared memories or new memories.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall