“I’d go all up the back lanes and come out on top of the cliffs almost. And I’d sit there with my book and my lunch, and in between I would see the steamer boats go by.” Val was recalling her experience of being evacuated as a child to Devon during the Second World War. For her, it was a time when she could get a packed lunch and explore the cliffs around where she was staying. It’s an experience she has been able to revisit more recently with the use of a virtual reality headset. “The best thing is it makes you realise you haven’t forgotten it all,” said Val.
We live in an age where the digital world mirrors much of our day-to-day lives, providing chances for exploration, connection and recreation, from gaming to gatherings. However, those opportunities to lead a rich and full digital life are not available to everyone, particularly older adults. Yet older adults could benefit from technologies like virtual reality for new and familiar experiences, helping keep people active and connected as they age.
