“Our residents have never experienced anything like this before,” said Allison Monk, Care Community Manager. “The VR goggles are now used all the time, so it’s been a very positive addition.”   

The 34-bed aged care facility, home to residents aged between 65 and 103, introduced virtual reality as a tool to enhance wellbeing and provide meaningful activity support. This initiative was championed by Meaningful Life Coordinator Colleen Bushell, who quickly embraced the technology.  

“Colleen grabbed the opportunity with full gusto,” Ms Monk said. “She learnt how to use the VR goggles and then set about encouraging residents to have a go.”   

Purchased through a Lifestyle and Dining Grant from the Department of Health, the VR goggles are opening up a world of new experiences for residents, without them needing to leave the comfort of their armchair or room.  

For Carol Nowell, 67, it was a chance to take to the skies. Having never flown before, she recently enjoyed her very first “flight” through virtual reality, hang gliding over the historic Stonehenge in the United Kingdom.  

“It was interesting and fun!” Carol said. “One minute I was down on the ground and the next I was up in the air. I was trying to follow the other glider and see where they were going. I was hanging onto the chair - it was really good! 

She described the scenery with delight “I saw all the meadows, wheat, some cows, and other people flying around.”  

When asked if she’d do it again, Carol didn’t hesitate “Yes, and I haven’t stopped! I’ve done different experiences, but I wouldn’t mind doing the flight one again. I’ve also gone sightseeing around towns and visited different places in Europe, including Paris!”  

Ben Kelly, Grampians Health’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are excited to see virtual reality goggles in use across several of our Care Communities at Grampians Health. The trial has been a great success, and the goggles are proving to be powerful tool for enhancing the resident experience, placing each individual at the centre of their own care journey.”  

Beyond the excitement, the goggles are showing therapeutic benefits, especially for residents living with cognitive impairment such as dementia.  

“They help de-escalate behaviours of concern,” Ms Monk explained.  

“We have a resident with advanced dementia who can become aggressive. He loves using the goggles to watch calming scenes of cows, something that takes him back to his childhood. His behaviour de-escalates, and we don’t need to administer any medication to calm him down.   

“The VR goggles decrease the use of pharmacological medicines to settle residents, offer a good diversion for pain, decrease social isolation and feelings of loneliness. They can even foster a meaningful connection to country,” said Allison.  

Residents currently share five virtual reality headsets; each connected to a larger screen that allows staff to monitor and guide the experience in real time.  

“With the larger screen staff can see exactly where the residents are looking, adjust individual headset volumes, and residents can leave their glasses on,” Ms Bushell said.  

“Each virtual reality experience runs for around four to six minutes.” 

The current set up offers access to 13 different topics, while the broader virtual reality library includes over 200 categories that can be rotated in and out to suit resident interests. From farming and flying, to cars, truck, trains, music concerts, opera, and First Nations experiences connected to land, residents can explore a wide range of interests and memories.  

“Some locations now have them full time,” said Ms Bushell. “We’re currently sharing with another care community, but we’d love to have them permanently, they’ve been very helpful.”