Meaning found bringing joy to homebound seniors through virtual adventures

I worked in journalism for three decades and what kept me there was a sense of purpose I derived from my work. Two and a half years ago, I made a mid-life career change and began working as community outreach and education manager at the Camarillo Health Care District. It was a leap of faith and it's paying off as I find the same sense of purpose and meaning, particularly when connecting seniors to the digital world, bringing them joy and inspiring wonder.

Mariana Gutierrez, health promotion coordinator at the District, and I developed a virtual reality program, which won Innovative Program of the Year from the California Special District Association, and last year made a few changes to make it mobile, going to senior apartments, assisted living facilities and the personal residences of seniors.

Along the way we met Janet, Charlie, Gunther, Sheldon, Elisabeth, Jeannine, Lois and dozens of other seniors. One participant exclaimed, “This is trippy!” while scuba diving virtually in a 3D underwater simulation. Another cooed at the chirping birds in a virtual meadow with deer and rabbits while reminiscing about her childhood. All connected to this technology in unique and wonderful ways that transported them in time and place.

“I was in the hospital, then skilled nursing and now here, in assisted living, and this was phenomenal because I felt like I actually got outside,” said a resident of Camarillo Senior Living who participated in the District’s “Roam Around the World” mobile virtual reality program. “It was exciting. I’d love to do it again.”

A total of 92 people, ranging in age from 63 to 101, participated in the program between July 2023 and June 2024. It was designed to take older adults, ages 62 and older who are homebound or have limited mobility, on virtual travel adventures. The program was supported in part by a community development block grant from the city of Camarillo. The city awarded a CDBG contract to the District for fiscal year 2023-24 to help cover the cost, making it free to participants identified through community outreach. The District connected with 12 locations, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, nursing homes and senior housing communities.

“Roam Around the World” succeeded at its goal of bringing VR to at least 80 older adults (specifically 92!) who may not have the ability to travel any longer for a variety of reasons. VR offers participants a full sense of “being there” through immersive headsets and software applications and utilizes computer technology to create a simulated environment.

Imagine traveling over the Swiss Alps in a hot-air balloon, going on a guided sightseeing tour in Rome, snorkeling in an underwater safari park or being immersed in nature as animals walk up to you and you change your environment to make it rain or release butterflies around you. Through the District’s immersive VR programming, you can do all of this without leaving Camarillo.

“My father used to take us on long trips across the state of Pennsylvania. There were a lot of trees and lakes. This is bringing back great memories,” shared a participant of the “Roam Around the World” program.

“I am so relaxed right now,” said another. “I love scuba diving. I saw turtles and fish. It was beautiful and so relaxing. It had a really calming effect on me.”

In addition to teaching digital literacy, VR classes aim to improve quality of life and sense of well-being by reducing loneliness, addressing depression, and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. But, most of all, they’re fun. Participants talk about how the experience impacted them individually while in a group setting. They also write about it in a passport and add stickers that represent their journey.

As fun as it is, VR is being widely used in some uncommon ways.? According to the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being,” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab, “VR is believed to be beneficial to older adults due to its immersive interaction capabilities.

"Participants who used the VR system reported being less socially isolated, being less likely to show signs of depression, experiencing positive affects more frequently, and feeling better about their overall well-being,” according to the study.

Virtual travel can provide a much-needed escape, particularly for people who are isolated, people with disabilities and the elderly. According to research by the makers of these VR applications, people have been moved to tears while using these travel and exploration applications as they stand virtually in a place they had always wanted to see but didn’t have the ability to anymore.

If you're interested in virtual travel, we are offering trips to see the "7 Wonders of the World," as well as many countries, cities, museums and historical sites through our "Adventures in VR" classes held on the District's campus, 3639 E. Las Posas Road, in Camarillo. There are also musical experiences, underwater adventures, brain training exercises, and more. Check out our offerings!