As the most beloved people in every family, the elderly are deprived of visiting many places and even traveling after they face health problems. But should they distance themselves from society forever? Of course not. Some nursing homes have provided virtual museum tours for homebound seniors with appropriate equipment so that they can visit museums and historical and pilgrimage sites in the same home environment. In fact, virtual reality for elderly (VR) has become more popular in recent years in care settings, including elderly care as one of the best activities for elderly with limited mobility.
By using the necessary tools, nursing homes have succeeded in improving the quality of life, reducing loneliness, strengthening memory, and creating opportunities for conversation and reminiscing for them. But what is this new technology of traveling in the virtual world like? In this blog from the Human Health Mag website, we will give you more information about this topic so that you know what kind of world the dear elderly will enter with the help of this technology and what positive changes they will experience mentally and psychologically.
Why Are Virtual Museum Tours for Homebound Senior Loved One Important?
Homebound older adults find joy in virtual adventures! Most seniors face mobility limitations, financial difficulties for travel, medical problems for not being able to leave the house and other issues. This has led to them not being able to visit museums, pilgrimage and historical sites easily and whenever they want. Using VR headsets or 360-degree tours, virtual museum tours for homebound seniors have provided them with the opportunity to visit their favorite places without having to leave their home or the nursing home.
Research has shown that gaining group or shared experiences with seniors in virtual space helps them experience less loneliness and depression. This interaction will also help them have a better mood and treat other residents of the nursing home as well as staff better. Also, using this type of new and appropriate facilities will help them to remember some pleasant events of the past by observing historical places in their minds and be in a better psychological condition.
Of course, when someone remembers a historical trip from their childhood, they will feel pleasant and are more likely to want to talk to others about this pleasant feeling. Ultimately, these nostalgic activities for dementia patients will also increase the person’s social interaction.
What Type of Virtual Tour is Suitable for The Elderly?
Seniors certainly do not want to spend their time visiting different places in virtual space. Also, if they use VR glasses for a long time, they may face neurological problems. It is better for them to visit beautiful and attractive museums and historical sites to remember pleasant memories of their past. So, in general, using this type of glasses will be desirable and suitable for the following applications.
- 360-degree tours of the museum environment: Like what is available in Google Arts & Culture or dedicated museum tours; The user can “walk through the halls” and get close to the works. This type of virtual museum tours for homebound seniors is very suitable for spatial experience and a sense of presence.
- Audio-narrated shows: Accompanying the tour with a narrator’s voice (or subtitles) that tells the story of the work or monument in a simple and attractive way.
- Simple interactive content: Such as zooming in on the details of the paintings, watching short behind-the-scenes videos, or talking to a virtual guide.
- Reminiscence programs: Choose museums or historical periods that are more meaningful and memorable for a specific age group (e.g., exhibits related to the decades of youth).
- Simultaneous group experiences: Multiple users with headsets can view a tour at the same time, with staff or volunteers leading the conversation — this mode is recommended to foster social interaction.
Can Virtual Museum Tours Improve the Health of Homebound Seniors?
A study suggests that virtual museum visits can improve the health of older adults confined to their homes. Scientists have long known that social isolation of seniors is linked to a number of health issues, including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as cognitive decline and even premature death.
Older adults, especially in Western societies, are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, a situation that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. But the same digital technology that allows workers to connect with each other and work remotely may also help older adults improve their physical, mental and social health.
A research study suggests that virtual museum visits can greatly improve the quality of life of older adults confined to their homes. Researchers from the University of Montreal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada collaborated to study the benefits of weekly virtual museum tours for homebound seniors over a three-month period. 106 Montreal residents were surveyed in this regard.
Half of the participants took a guided tour weekly, while the other half did not participate in any cultural activities. Those who participated in the cultural activities showed significant improvements in their well-being and quality of life compared to those who did not.
“Our study showed that artistic activity can be an effective intervention. On a global scale, this artistic and participatory activity could become a suitable model to help improve the lives of older people,” says Olivier Bouchet, a professor at the University of Montreal and the lead author of the research report.
The biggest benefit of the 45-minute virtual museum tours, which included 15 minutes of Q&A, was an improvement in frailty. The new study is an extension of previous research that examined the potential health benefits of a Montreal museum program for seniors called Thursdays at the Museum. Findings from that 2018 study showed that museum-hosted arts activities can improve happiness, quality of life and health in seniors.
Safety, Health, and Medical Considerations
Safety, Health, and Medical Considerations Before homebound seniors can experience a pleasant and enjoyable virtual museum tour, they must be assessed for VR usage conditions. For example, they must not have epilepsy, certain vision/balance disorders, unstable heart disease, or certain acute mental disorders in order to be able to use these facilities properly.
For most seniors, 10–20 minute sessions are appropriate initially, and the length and frequency can be increased if tolerated. Longer sessions can cause headaches, nausea, or fatigue.
A trained professional or caregiver should always be present to adjust the headset, provide guidance, and intervene if discomfort occurs.
Finally, shared use of headsets requires cleaning protocols. Research and health guidelines recommend methods for reasonable surface disinfection (use of disposable face coverings for the headset, specialized cleaners, and following the manufacturer’s instructions). Of course, you can also clean the device by using alcohol directly on the cover.
Concluding Remarks
Virtual museum tours for homebound seniors not only provide the opportunity to “see the world”, but can also act as a powerful therapeutic and social tool. In a way that eliminates loneliness in the elderly and helps strengthen their memories. It also promotes dialogue and improves caregiving relationships. In general, if all the principles of using technology correctly in a nursing home are followed, it will bring many benefits. Some nursing homes offers the best services to the elderly in this regard so that they can use the latest technologies in the world in the best way.
Frequently Asked Question
Which website will take you on a free trip around the world?
Virtualvacation, as the name suggests, takes you on a virtual tour, a plane trip, and a whole host of other fun activities! In the monument section of this website, you will have the opportunity to visit museums, forest parks, beaches, etc. with one click.
Which virtual tour software or app is right for you?
Choosing a virtual tour software or app depends on your needs and skill level. If you’re looking for a professional tool, options like Matterport and 3DVista are suitable. But if you’re just starting out, simpler tools like Google Tour Creator or Kuula can be an ideal choice.