VR TRAINING TO SUPPORT SENIOR LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

VR TRAINING TO SUPPORT SENIOR LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

Humanity has recently learned the emotional pain of feeling loneliness and social isolation. Our recent pandemic lockdown will have mental health consequences for a generation. On the flip side, there is a growing human understanding of the devastation of isolation. toPointC is committed to serving the needs of seniors by offering fun and challenging learning environments. 

1. CURRENT STATE OF SENIORS

Research validates that senior isolation is an American crisis. In this article, we won’t cover how we got here. But we will explore America’s current Loneliness Crisis. It all starts with the fact that nearly 30% of all seniors live alone (CDC). 

This staggering number is a representation of the last 30 years of progress. During this time, we saw a demographical shift in the increase of divorces and children moving away at long distances. We’re not here to judge if this is good or bad. This article points out that this has left an imprint on Boomer seniors. We are only here to point out the demographics of why many seniors live alone. 

Medical Implications

This rampant isolation has led researchers to review the medical implications. Senior loneliness and social isolation were associated with some staggering numbers.

  • Equal to smoking 15 cigarettes per day (1)
  • 50% increase in the risk of dementia (2)
  • 29% increased risk of heart disease (3)
  • 32% increased risk of stroke (4)

Mental Health Implications

Senior loneliness was directly associated with increased depression, anxiety, and suicide (5).

2. VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING AS A SOLUTION

toPointC is proud to offer seniors an easy-to-understand Virtual Reality training platform that provides an opportunity to learn new skills and have fun again.

Offers a Challenge       

Virtual Reality training with toPointC’s automated training platform provides seniors with an opportunity for a rewarding and challenging time to learn a new skill. This form of cognitive learning will allow seniors to feel important and intelligent.  

Having Fun Again

Learning doesn’t have to be boring. Virtual Reality training provides seniors with fun ways to learn. These immersive experiences will offer a new form of daily activity to seniors to feel like there is somewhere where they can have fun learning a new skill.

SOURCES

(1)   https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/elderly-loneliness-statistics.html

(2-5) https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html