Virtual Reality Helps Residents of Shorewood Senior-Living Community

Four Shorewood senior-living communities in Minnesota are using the WellnessVR virtual reality (VR) platform to offer residents interesting and relaxing experiences, reports the Sun Sailor . The Visual local media and technology company that designed the platform partnered with Oppidan Investment to make the technology available. "Seniors can choose from a wide range of 360-degree nature, travel, and cultural scenes that we've filmed around Minnesota and the world," said Visual CEO Chuck Olsen. His company performed a study with a test cohort of senior-living community residents who used WellnessVR twice a week for four weeks. The platform helped them feel more positive, relaxed, and social, while also relieving anxiety or stress. Following the study, 97 percent of the participants felt more relaxed, 94 percent felt less worried, and all enjoyed their experience. Residents at the Pillars of Shorewood Landing have used the product since last July, and Pillars Executive Director Griffin Myslivecek said "we've been leaning on using WellnessVR more than usual throughout the pandemic."