While VR has transformed the world of gaming, it is also innovating the world of senior care.

Launched in 2016, Mynd Immersive has been developing VR care to enhance the lives of older adults, particularly people with dementia, their carers and families.

Initially hosting live VR music performances, the company has gone on to develop lightweight, ergonomic VR glasses designed with dementia patients in mind, has recently partnered with the US Veteran Association (VA) to offer VR as a prescription for veterans, and has embarked on a new collaboration that has seen the launch of the Great American Elderverse – a virtual reality environment for older adults.

Chris Brickler, CEO of Mynd Immersive, spoke to Age Tech World to tell us more about how VR can help dementia patients build connections and meaningful experiences to help improve their quality of life.

“We started with the idea of leveraging a platform like Oculus and adapting it for dementia care,” said Brickler.

“We believed that by integrating music therapy, which has well-established scientific benefits, into a 360-degree immersive experience, we could make a real difference. Instead of simply playing Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra for an 85-year-old grandmother with dementia, we could take her on a virtual night out, recreating live music performances in an engaging, interactive way.”

Mynd’s first prototype was a Frank Sinatra-themed experience, featuring a big band, a martini glass on the table, and an elaborate 1950s-style production with 50 performers in period attire, explains Brickler.

“My vision was to use technology in a novel and creative way that could genuinely enhance the human experience,” he said.

“Although we have expanded the applications and use cases for our work in elder care, our core mission has remained the same: to improve and enrich the lives of the growing population of older adults while enhancing their health and wellbeing.”

Mynd conducted the largest ever study on VR and ageing with Stanford University. Taking place across 17 senior living communities in 10 different states, the study found that 74 per cent of caregivers reported improved mood in residents after using Mynd, 79 per cent of the residents reported feeling more positive, and 57 per cent of older adults reported feeling less isolated from the outside world.

“We all know that improving someone’s mood is a key factor in overall mental health,” said Brickler.

“What we discovered was that VR did not just provide a temporary boost in mood during the experience itself, it also created a profound shift by lifting residents beyond the four walls of their daily existence.

“We refer to this as the “fifth quadrant”, where VR connects human consciousness with past memories, loved ones, and meaningful experiences. Using immersive design and technology, we transport people beyond their immediate surroundings.

“This could mean taking them on virtual travel experiences, bringing them to live music performances, or even recreating historical events.

“For example, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing was a major milestone that many older adults followed closely at the time. However, for the vast majority of seniors, travelling to the NASA museum in Houston is simply not feasible.

“By creating a virtual museum tour, we were able to bring this experience to thousands of older adults who would never have had the chance to see it otherwise.

“The Stanford study reinforced this impact, particularly in terms of mood enhancement. What surprised us even more was the social benefit of VR. We were not expecting such high numbers, but nine out of 10 participants reported that VR improved their relationships with caregivers.

“This is a huge breakthrough for both us and the industry. There is often a significant generational gap between older adults and their caregivers, which can lead to a lack of shared experiences and conversation topics. VR creates a bridge between these generations, fostering connection, engagement, and socialisation on both sides.

“We are incredibly excited about the findings from the Stanford study, as they highlight the potential of VR not only as a tool for entertainment, but as a way to enhance mental wellbeing and social interaction.”

To improve accessibility of VR technology for older generations, in 2023 Mynd developed an ergonomic set of glasses that weigh just 189 grammes, without a bulky strap. Brickler explains this ergonomic shift significantly improved uptake among older adults.

“For an 85-year-old person, who may not have the neck strength to support a 600-gramme headset, our new lightweight glasses have made a major difference,” says Brickler.

“They allow users to fully engage with VR without discomfort. Most VR headsets are built for younger users and gamers, but they are simply not suitable for long-term use in elder care settings.”

More recently, Mynd has partnered with the Consumer Technology Association Foundation to launch the Great American Elderverse – a philanthropic initiative designed to bring immersive extended reality experiences to underserved, lower-income seniors.

“Our goal is to ensure equitable access to the benefits of digital therapeutics, making these advancements available to those who need them most,” said Brickler.

“The programme is still in its early stages, but it is starting to gain momentum. The first donation came from a generous family in New York City and was made through our partner, the Consumer Technology Association Foundation, a non-profit organisation. This foundation allows large donors to contribute, and from those donations, we distribute our immersive technology to senior communities in need.

“It is an incredibly rewarding initiative because it enhances social connections, stimulates cognition, and improves emotional wellbeing.

“Sadly, many lower-income seniors do not have access to the advanced care options available in the private-pay sector. By providing this technology at a very low cost, we ensure it remains scalable and shareable.

“Once a community has a few headsets, everyone in that community can access our programmes, which is a fantastic benefit.”

Mynd currently provides subscription-based access to its headsets, content, training, along with support for professional clinical teams using Mynd VR, and will now begin focusing on rolling out access to its product for home use.

“The numbers in the United States are staggering in terms of how many older adults require care, and in many cases, the burden of care falls entirely on family members,” says Brickler.

“In response, we have developed a programme called Mynd Care. Caring for someone with dementia can be incredibly stressful, and Mynd Care provides both wellness tools for relaxation and training tools for caregivers. For example, our platform can help reduce stress and improve mood for younger caregivers looking after dementia patients.”

One of the key features of Mynd Care is its scalable training simulations for carers. Staff are able to experience 30 minute training sessions that simulate scenarios that dementia patients might go through.

“This is particularly useful for new caregivers who need to understand how to handle different situations effectively and compassionately,” says Brickler.

“There are specific approaches that work well in dementia care, and there are also things that should definitely be avoided. Mynd Care provides an accessible, repeatable training system that ensures caregivers are well prepared.”

Mynd’s work with the VA has also seen the creation of the largest location-based extended reality network in the country, with over 100 locations, focused on reducing pain and anxiety.

“Tens of thousands of veterans in living centres can now access and use our technology, which has been a truly rewarding and impactful project,” says Brickler.

“Healthcare providers are increasingly looking for non-pharmaceutical interventions across pain management, cognitive health, and mental wellbeing. The push to introduce alternative treatments with clinical evidence is where Mynd comes in.”

Source: https://agetechworld.co.uk/technology/mynd-immersive-transforming-senior-care-with-vr/