Virtual Experiences for Seniors in Retirement Communities
Published on January 15, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing almost every aspect of our lives. Most notably, it is severely limiting our ability to leave our homes as often as we want and quashing pretty much any travel prospects for the near future.
Retirement communities are implementing several measures to help offset some of the sense of seclusion some seniors may be feeling during this time. Worldwide, various organizations, theater companies, and businesses are offering access to virtual tours and live performances to help keep people entertained, including seniors living in retirement communities.
Why Consider Virtual Attractions in Retirement Communities
Although virtual attractions can’t compare to experiencing a live performance, art, or a visually stunning landscape in person, this is the closest anyone can get to access these resources for the time being. Unfortunately, for many seniors suffering from cognitive and physical disabilities, worldwide travel—even before the pandemic—was not always an option.
Incorporating virtual attractions into their daily lives gives seniors the opportunity to explore wonderful remote locations that they might not have had the chance to see without the added travel expense.
Here are a few reasons why more retirement living communities across Canada should consider including virtual attractions in their daily itineraries.
Improved Mental and Physical Stimulation
Indulging in cultural events such as live performances, walking through unique city streets, learning about the history of different countries, or even learning about different parts of your own country are enriching and life-changing experiences for everyone.
There’s no doubt that experiencing cultural events and attractions are both mentally and physically stimulating, and the same applies to virtual attractions. From watching a performance or even learning a new dance step, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what can be accomplished over the Internet and it’s worth seeing the smile on seniors’ faces when they complete a tour or a virtual event.
Great Entertainment Value
After living in isolation or semi-isolation over the past year, seniors are eager for new and engaging experiences. Whether it’s touring a zoo or watching a live performance of their favourite musicians, there’s a lot of great entertainment value online that they can enjoy from the comfort of their own living spaces.
Virtual Canadian Attractions to Visit during the Lockdown
Many of Canada’s renowned museums and cultural centers are offering a variety of fascinating virtual tours of exhibits and gallery showcases. Here is a list of Canada-wide virtual attractions that people of all ages can enjoy while in lockdown:
Art Gallery of Ontario. The AGO has an extensive online collection that features some of the most well-known Canadian and international pieces in the world.
Vancouver Art Gallery. Google Street View allows users to take a free virtual tour of various exhibits in the VAG. You can also visit their main website for information on specific exhibits and pieces of art.
The Royal Ontario Museum. Visit any number of the ROM’s extensive exhibits and displays through its virtual archive. Simply type in whatever you’re looking for and you’ll be granted virtual access to it. You can also use Google Street View to explore the museum on your own.
Virtual National Park Access. Experience the natural wonders of many of Canada’s stunning national parks including Banff National Park, Aulavik National Park, Auyuittuq National Park, Bruce Peninsula National Park, and many more. Virtual tours are available on Google Earth, Google Maps, or YouTube.
Virtual Trips for Seniors to Exotic International Locations
Immersing yourself in a totally different cultural is both exciting and educational. Learn about the history of different countries, what makes their cultures unique, what customs they follow, and the languages they speak.
If you or your senior loved one is craving travelling abroad, then you can use any one of the following apps to get a truly immersive virtual experience:
YouVisit
Google Views
Google Earth
Google Maps
Discovery VR
Whether you want a relaxing beach vacation that allows you to enjoy the soothing ocean sounds or you’re looking for something a little more exciting and adventurous, there are tons of travel options to suit every preference and whim.
And the best part is that seniors can do it all from the comfort of their own suites without the expense of travelling or having to pack a suitcase! Here are some popular exotic locales that many seniors are interested in visiting:
Mexico
Peru
Greenland
Egypt
The Galapagos Islands
The Philippines
India
Jamaica
Australia
Iceland
Morocco
Vietnam
Now seniors living in retirement communities can have personalized experiences travelling the world and learning about different cultures and traditions. Take guided tours through some of the world’s most stunning natural wonders, learn about the ancient history of the lands you travel to, and enjoy a majestic sunrise or sunset atop the highest mountain peaks without actually having to do any climbing! Virtual attractions truly do make the world your oyster!
At V!VA Retirement Communities in Ontario, we’re doing everything we can to keep our Community Members entertained throughout the isolation of the pandemic. Providing them access to national and international virtual attractions is a great way to occupy their time, educate them about different cultures, and help them escape from the reality in which they’re living at least for a short period. To learn more about us and to find out if one of our retirement communities is right for you or your loved one, e-mail us at info@vivalife.ca, or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
