Haydale Care Home Residents Embark on Virtual Alpine Adventure

Harnessing the wonders of technology, Haydale care home recently treated its residents to a virtual reality (VR) adventure, whisking them away on a simulated skiing excursion through the picturesque French Alps. Betty McConnachie expressed her awe, stating, “It’s like we are actually skiing!”

The residents, donning VR headsets, were immersed in the experience of skiing, strolling through snowy landscapes, and soaking in the breathtaking scenery of the French Alps. To enhance the sensory aspect, they even had the opportunity to feel snow created from a mixture of snow, salt, and water, providing a realistic freezing texture. Anna Mitchell gleefully remarked, “It was a white Christmas after all.”

What makes this experience truly remarkable is that the residents enjoyed these adventures from the comfort of their chairs, eliminating the need to venture outdoors. Many of them had never skied before, and this virtual escapade allowed them to check off this activity from their bucket lists.

The innovative idea was conceived by the wellbeing team, led by Isabel Cummings and Kirstin Millar, who aimed to bring the magic of a white Christmas to the residents. Isabel shared her thoughts, saying, “We are always on the lookout for new experiences for the residents, and this was a uniquely delightful use of the VR headset.”