Through the magic of virtual reality (VR), Baycrest residents and patients now have the opportunity to travel to a new country, tour the neighbourhood where they grew up in or visit a museum or art gallery.

In May 2021, therapeutic recreationists began offering immersive, virtual reality experiences to residents of the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, and Baycrest Hospital patients, and have now delivered more than 1,800 successful sessions.

Residents and patients wear a VR headset or watch on a tablet or smart TV to feel like they are in a highly realistic environment with sights and sounds.

“My mother said it was one of the best things she’s done at Baycrest,” says Marla Hertzman, whose mother lives at the Apotex Centre. “She took a museum tour and felt like she was right there. She always loved travel, art and music, and this brought back positive memories for her.”

The VR platform from Rendever VR for Seniors can be used individually or in groups and offers a library of video experiences, as well as live events such as trivia games and singalongs. Staff have access to scripts, fun facts and trivia questions to stimulate conversations during the experience.

“We find out what people like and personalize the experience for them,” says therapeutic recreationist Kelly Rose who is a VR champion in the Apotex Centre, along with her colleague Shari Fremeth-Tepper. “If they had a pet, for instance, we can show them videos of dogs or cats. There are also videos of babies laughing and playing.”

“The VR platform is a wonderful tool to engage and inspire seniors, including those experiencing cognitive decline, impaired vision or mobility restrictions,” says Cyrelle Muskat, Director of Quality Systems and Wellness. “We have also seen a notable and positive impact on resident behaviours after a VR experience.”

Protocols and guidelines on using the VR technology have been developed by Baycrest clinical teams to ensure client safety and take into account factors such as side effects, suitability of videos and medical considerations. Approval is required in advance from a client’s physician and family.

Through a generous gift from a donor, Baycrest has purchased 12 headsets and two tablets, and staff are receiving training to offer the experience to clients across the Baycrest campus.