October 17 2025
Virtual reality enriches lives
Immersive virtual reality experiences are supporting connection, comfort and meaningful engagement for residents across Calvary aged care homes.
Supporting connection, comfort and meaningful engagement
We are exploring how immersive virtual reality experiences can support meaningful engagement, emotional wellbeing and person-centred care for residents across our Calvary Aged Care homes.
Delivered in partnership with NeuronsVR, these experiences are helping residents reconnect with familiar places, spark memories and enjoy moments of calm, joy and connection.
For many older people, particularly those living with mobility limitations, cognitive change or complex health needs, travel and familiar experiences are no longer easily accessible. Through virtual reality, residents can revisit beaches, forests, city tours and culturally meaningful places - all from the comfort and safety of home.
Creating meaningful moments at Calvary Springvale
Earlier this year, a generous $7,000 donation from a resident’s family at Calvary Springvale Aged Care supported the introduction of immersive virtual reality experiences for residents.
What began as an act of gratitude has grown into something much larger - creating opportunities for reminiscence, relaxation, storytelling and connection.
The family’s thoughtful gesture not only honoured the care their loved one received, but reflected Calvary’s mission of Being for Others and demonstrated how one family’s generosity can enrich many lives.
At Springvale, residents are already enjoying meaningful experiences that feel personal and emotionally resonant.
One resident enjoys visiting a Japanese botanic garden, slowly looking up and down at the trees, flowers and surrounding landscape. Staff say the experience leaves her visibly calm and relaxed.
During another session, a resident revisited coastal scenery that reminded him of home in Venezuela.
“Seeing water surrounding him brought back meaningful memories of living close to the beach,” a team member shared.
These moments often spark conversation, laughter and storytelling between residents, families and staff.
Supporting culturally inclusive care
Calvary Springvale is also the first Calvary aged care home to pilot a multilingual virtual reality approach.
Residents can experience sessions in their first language, helping make experiences feel more familiar, intuitive and emotionally meaningful - particularly for those who speak little or no English.
In culturally diverse communities such as Springvale, this approach can support connection to identity, traditions and lived experiences while helping reduce feelings of isolation.
Many staff members also speak residents’ first languages, helping create deeper communication and understanding during sessions.
Thoughtful, person-centred engagement
Virtual reality experiences are designed to complement existing lifestyle, wellbeing and dementia-informed care approaches.
Residents can participate in group sessions or quieter one-on-one experiences tailored to their individual interests, preferences and memories.
Experiences may include:
- nature and relaxation scenes
- culturally familiar environments
- armchair travel experiences
- reminiscence-based sessions
- calming and sensory experiences
Sessions can also be delivered in residents’ rooms for those unable to attend group programs.
One team member shared, “Virtual reality is especially good for residents who prefer a quiet and relaxing activity in one place.”
Supporting residents living with dementia
Virtual reality is also being explored as part of Calvary’s broader dementia-informed approach to care.
At Calvary Flora McDonald in South Australia, a $34,000 bequest supported the introduction of immersive virtual reality experiences for residents living with dementia.
Before her passing, volunteer Joan Moyle dedicated her time to supporting residents in the home’s Memory Support Unit. Her generosity and care now continue through experiences designed to support comfort, engagement and emotional wellbeing for residents.
A few months before the technology was formally introduced, residents had the opportunity to trial the experiences.
One woman celebrated her 95th birthday by attending a virtual classical music concert.
“When we took the goggles off her she was crying about her wonderful experience,” Calvary General Manager Aged Care, South Australia, Ryan Midgley said.
“For families and staff, these experiences can create opportunities for conversation, reminiscence and shared connection.”
Supporting wellbeing through connection
At Calvary, innovation is always guided by dignity, inclusion and person-centred care.
Virtual reality experiences are one of the many ways we are continuing to explore thoughtful, non-pharmacological approaches that support wellbeing, meaningful engagement and quality of life for residents.
Because care is about more than meeting physical needs. It’s about helping people feel connected, valued and understood.
