St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC), Singapore’s largest eldercare provider, will bring virtual reality to older adults with the purchase of VR equipment from SilVR Adventures.
SilVR Adventures is a Melbourne-based company offering turnkey virtual reality solutions for care centres and community-based facilities. Their VR technology can connect up to 30 care recipients at once, allowing them to transport themselves to iconic locations, relive their past, and engage in social settings. By sharing memories and stories, participants can strengthen relationships, reduce aggression and enhance their mental well-being.
SLEC’s spokesperson said: “As a healthcare service provider with over 25 senior care centres throughout Singapore, a nursing residence and active ageing centres, we are constantly innovating and equipping our premises with technology to support active ageing.
We believe introducing virtual reality to our elders will improve their mobility and train their cognitive abilities and this is especially useful for those with dementia or at risk of developing dementia.”
Research has shown that loneliness and isolation in later life contribute to poor well-being and significant health problems (1). VR can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, increase acceptance and effectiveness of treatment, and give participants the confidence to get involved by removing physical and mental barriers (2) (3).
It also helps stimulate memories for people with dementia, reduce aggression and improve interactions with staff (4).
SilVR Adventures’ founder Colin Pudsey said SilVR Adventures was delighted to partner with St. Luke’s Eldercare as part of the company’s expansion into Asia-Pacific.
“Loneliness, social isolation and cognitive decline among the elderly are growing global problems and we have proven results in improving quality of life through meaningful and shared virtual reality experiences,” Mr Pudsey said.
It’s hugely exciting to be able to bring joy to thousands of older adults in Singapore and deliver experiences in local languages with the recent launch of our multi-language VR content solution.”
Mr Pudsey will be speaking as part of Inside Ageing’s Aged Care Innovators webinar on June 22 – register for that session here.
SilVR Adventures began in 2019, growing exponentially in ANZ during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns left elderly people more isolated than ever before. The company quickly adapted its technology to bring larger numbers of people together, no matter where they were.
SilVR Adventures was a past winner of Inside Ageing’s Future of Ageing Awards, a finalist in the InnovAgeing National Awards 2021 and Eldercare Innovation Awards 2021 and named one of 2021’s top 500 global start-ups.
Currently, the company is conducting dementia-based research in partnership with Deakin University in Melbourne to explore the potential of virtual reality for individuals living with mild dementia. Additionally, the company has formed strategic partnerships with major organisations such as Optus, Amazon Web Services, and La Trobe Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
To learn more, visit: silvradventures.com.au
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6823515/
3: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/22/9345
4: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190509080035.htm
