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Journal article
Introducing virtual reality to older adults: A qualitative analysis of a co-design innovation with care staff
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.125, 105505
2024
PMID: 38851090
Abstract
Previous studies of Virtual Reality (VR) in aged care settings have demonstrated that the benefits can be multiple, including improved social connection and engagement and reduced social isolation in later life. However, there remains a lack of widespread uptake of VR in aged care facilities. This prompts an important question: Given the potential benefits, why is there such poor engagement in VR by aged care facilities? The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate the experience of introducing VR into an aged care facility. Our innovative approach supported care staff to introduce VR into aged care facilities. Fieldwork diaries and focus group discussions were used to document experiences of introducing VR, including the obstacles, challenges and benefits and the adaptations to aged care environments that were required to accommodate new VR activities. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that VR can be an important medium to support the wellbeing of older residents. However, our findings also indicate that there are significant challenges associated with introducing VR, including substantial costs in time, money and institutional resources and attention. This study concludes that, to be successful, VR requires substantive care and relational resources from both staff and residents that are only visible when paying attention to the contextual adjustments required to introduce the technology to a new setting. This suggests that other research on gerontechnologies would likely also benefit from further attention to the role of the broader social context – including care and relational resources – in ensuring their successful design and implementation.
Details
- Title
- Introducing virtual reality to older adults: A qualitative analysis of a co-design innovation with care staff
- Authors/Creators
- Raelene Wilding - La Trobe UniversityBarbara Barbosa Neves - The University of SydneyJenny Waycott - The University of MelbourneEvonne Miller - Queensland University of TechnologyTabitha Porter - Queensland University of TechnologyJacqueline Johnston - Rural Northwest Health, AustraliaWendy James - Rural Northwest Health, AustraliaStefany Brajanovski - La Trobe UniversityJosephine Wilson - Murdoch University, School of Humanities, Arts and Social SciencesSteven Baker - Griffith UniversityGlenda Caldwell - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication Details
- Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, Vol.125, 105505
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 991005680461407891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.112 Palliative Care
- 1.112.161 Dementia Caregivers
- Web Of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine