Virtual reality technology lets long-term care residents experience different world – Okanagan | 24CA News

Gerald Hardychuk has used a wheelchair for 15 years.

The 50-year previous Kelowna, B.C., man has a number of sclerosis (MS) and lives on the Cottonwoods Extended Care Home.

“Before he got his multiple sclerosis, he was incredibly active,” mentioned Taryn Millway, Hardychuk’s sister. “He did so many things, physically and sports wise.”

But Hardychuk is now capable of expertise a number of the issues he used to like doing together with new issues because of newly acquired expertise.

“It’s called Rendever Virtual Reality (VR) and it is an immersive virtual reality platform,” mentioned Lauren Knapton, one of many scientific rec therapists at Cottonwoods.

Virtual actuality permits folks to placed on a headset and expertise an enormous vary of actions — something from travelling world wide and sightseeing to strolling by way of a forest and excessive sports activities like skydiving and mountain climbing.

The expertise provides customers as shut of an expertise as attainable to the true factor.

“Fishing, hunting, kayaking, diving with dolphins, safaris, basically anything,” mentioned Knapton.

1:37What it’s wish to expertise digital actuality for the primary time

IH began utilizing digital actuality in 2020 throughout the pandemic as a method to help folks feeling remoted on account of an absence of social interplay.

“It was a way that we could bring the outside world in, and allow our residents to have these moments of joy that they wouldn’t have, especially over COVID. and we’ve kind of just been rolling it out ever since,” Knapton mentioned.

The expertise is now utilized in 19 Interior Health-operated amenities.

“As a rec therapist, it’s hard to program for every single person, so it’s beautiful having this tool that we know we can engage someone successfully,” mentioned Knapton.

It’s mentioned to be having a optimistic affect on residents who’re utilizing the expertise.

“We do pre- and post-session evaluations after every session, and consistently throughout,  every single resident that uses VR says that they are feeling better after the session,” Knapton mentioned.

On Friday, Hardychuk was requested by scientific rec therapist  Michelle Wingfield what exercise he want to expertise this time, giving him a lot of selections.

“Snowmobiling, motorcycle ride, a rollercoaster. What do you think you’re up to doing today?” she requested Hardychuk.

He answered, “All of it.”

When requested what he considered his digital snowboarding in Colorado, Hardychuk mentioned, “It’s sweet.”

Hardychuk’s sister Taryn Millway was elated when she was advised the primary time Hardychuk had an opportunity to expertise VR.

“It was just so cool to hear that he got to go on a roller coaster because he hasn’t been out of a wheelchair in 15 years,” Millway advised Global News.

Since then, Hardychuk has tried every kind of utmost sports activities to fill that adrenaline rush want.

“I think he did a few things that were things he’s done in life and had goals to do in life before he had to live there. So it was just such a neat idea,” Millway mentioned.

VR can also be being utilized by different well being authorities throughout B.C.

2:13Virtual actuality: UBC Okanagan first to supply ‘immersive technologies’ graduate program

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