Hertfordshire care home residents treated to festive virtual reality displays

A care home in Hertfordshire was recently visited by virtual reality provider Escape2VR, which treated residents to festive displays to help with their mental wellbeing.

Displays at Foxholes Care Home included sleigh rides with Santa, the northern lights, and more, all of which took place from the comfort of their armchairs.

It was made as accessible as possible so that all residents could get involved. In the morning group session, a TV was hooked up to the main system, providing an interactive experience for those not comfortable wearing VR goggles.

In the afternoon, the VR experience was taken to individual residents’ rooms to ensure those unable to come down for the session could also experience and enjoy it.

Virtual Reality is not just becoming increasingly important in care homes like Fox Holes, it is also making its presence known in other healthcare settings. Back in August, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust introduced VR training to improve learning amongst its junior doctors and medical students.

Formed in 2018, Escape2VR aims to use virtual reality as a source to improve health and wellbeing for clients, something that has proven to be very beneficial for those with no or very little contact with the outside world.

Neil Gandecha, estate manager at Foxholes Care Home, said: “It was a wonderful day for our residents, who were clearly delighted by the whole experience. The sad thing about getting older is that seeing the world and getting out and about becomes ever more difficult.

“The technology brought in by Escape2VR though, enabled residents to enjoy a taste of something new and a reminder of younger years, mixed in with some Christmas magic, of course.”