VR (virtual reality) is quickly taking over the world. In 2014 ago 500,000 units were sold, ten years later, there are now 34 million units in use.
The Oculus Quest is generally regarded as the most popular VR headset series, accounting for 20 million sets on the market. Because of that, it has the attention of an army of developers building a suite of apps and games for the console.
We believe this has massive potential for seniors, especially in assisted living communities where they have the support of staff, and other residents, to help them get started.
VR is more than entertainment; it's a gateway to improved mental health, enhanced physical activity, and enriched social interactions. A 2020 study found that VR experiences can reduce feelings of isolation among seniors, improving their overall sense of well-being.
Here are 19 games we’ve handpicked for seniors.
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Experience Nature Like Never Before: Nature Treks VR allows users to explore serene, natural environments ranging from tropical beaches to dense forests. It's perfect for relaxation and virtual tourism, providing a gentle, immersive experience that's accessible to everyone.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Besides the obvious relaxation benefits, Nature Treks VR can stimulate cognitive functions through exploration and interaction with the environment.
Link to Nature Treks VR on Oculus Store
Stay Active with Virtual Fitness: FitXR offers a variety of workouts, from boxing to dance classes, all from the comfort of your living space. It's designed to make fitness fun and engaging, encouraging regular physical activity.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Physical activity is crucial at any age, and FitXR can cater to various fitness levels, ensuring a safe and enjoyable workout experience. It can also improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls.
Explore the World Virtually: Wander allows users to explore famous landmarks, cities, and natural wonders from around the globe. It's powered by Google Street View, offering an expansive library of 360-degree images.
Why It's Great for Seniors
This app is perfect for seniors with a love for travel and learning. It supports cognitive health by encouraging curiosity and exploration, and can even spark conversations about personal travel experiences.
Link to Wander on Oculus Store
Mindfulness and Movement: Guided Tai Chi offers a range of Tai Chi routines, designed to improve balance, flexibility, and peace of mind. It's a low-impact form of exercise, making it ideal for all fitness levels.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Tai Chi has been shown to have numerous health benefits for seniors, including improving balance, reducing stress, and enhancing sleep quality.
Link to Guided Tai Chi on Oculus Store
Fishing Made Virtual: Bait! is a relaxing fishing game that takes players to a beautiful, tranquil lake. It's simple to understand and play, making it perfect for a peaceful virtual getaway.
Why It's Great for Seniors
This game can improve hand-eye coordination and patience, all while providing a serene escape to nature.
Interactive Puzzle Adventure: Help solve the mystery of the stolen pets in this heartwarming, interactive tale. The game features puzzles suitable for all ages, set in vibrant, miniature worlds.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Stimulates problem-solving skills and memory, wrapped in a delightful narrative.
Link to The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets on Oculus Store
Virtual Ping Pong: Experience the realism of playing table tennis from the comfort of your living room. Eleven Table Tennis offers an authentic ping pong simulation, praised for its accuracy and physics.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Promotes physical activity and reflexes, in a fun and competitive way.
Link to Eleven Table Tennis on Oculus Store
Unleash Your Creativity: Tilt Brush allows users to paint in 3D space with virtual reality. It's a unique artistic experience, with a variety of brushes, colors, and environments.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Encourages creativity and expression, beneficial for mental health and cognitive function.
Link to Tilt Brush by Google on Oculus Store
Relaxing Fishing Simulator: Join Real VR Fishing to catch fish in realistic, beautiful environments from around the world. The game offers a mix of relaxation and excitement, with a focus on realism.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Besides the relaxation component, it offers an opportunity for gentle cognitive engagement and fine motor skill exercise.
Link to Real VR Fishing on Oculus Store
Social VR Space: Rec Room is a virtual social club where you can play games, build with friends, or host a virtual meetup. It's a great way to stay connected and engaged.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Supports social interaction and community building in a fun and accessible environment.
Link to Rec Room on Oculus Store
A Puzzle Adventure: Explore the world of Wonderland before Alice arrived. Down the Rabbit Hole is a VR adventure that features puzzles, hidden objects, and surprises.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Stimulates cognitive skills like problem-solving and memory in an engaging story setting.
Link to Down the Rabbit Hole on Oculus Store
Rhythmic Exercise Game: Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game where you slash the beats of adrenaline-pumping music as they fly towards you, surrounded by a futuristic world.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Enhances coordination and provides a fun, immersive way to engage in physical exercise.
Link to Beat Saber on Oculus Store
Adventure With a Tiny Hero: Moss is an action-adventure puzzle game, transporting players to a richly imagined world of myth and magic, through the eyes of a brave mouse named Quill.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Encourages problem-solving and is filled with narrative-driven adventure, suitable for gentle cognitive stimulation.
Become a Wizard's Apprentice: Elixir is a hands-on virtual reality experience where you play as a wizard's apprentice. Perform magical tasks and learn spells in a fully immersive environment.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Engages the brain in learning new skills and sequences, promoting cognitive health.
Link to Elixir on Oculus Store
Explore Underwater Worlds: Ocean Rift is an underwater exploration game that takes you on a VR journey through a variety of habitats, from coral reefs to the deep sea, inhabited by dolphins, sharks, and even dinosaurs.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Offers a peaceful, educational experience that can improve mood and stimulate curiosity about marine life.
Link to Ocean Rift on Oculus Store
Strategic Card-Battler: Skyworld: Kingdom Brawl is a VR card-battler game. Build your deck and strategize to win battles against players from around the world in real-time matches.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Enhances strategic thinking and planning, while also providing a fun, competitive edge.
Link to Skyworld: Kingdom Brawl on Oculus Store
Fitness and Meditation: Supernatural provides a wide range of workouts set in breathtaking locations around the world, combined with meditation sessions for a comprehensive wellness experience.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Offers a way to stay physically active and mentally sharp, with exercises tailored to all levels.
Link to Supernatural on Oculus Store
Join a Virtual Community: VRChat offers a massive virtual universe to explore, where you can meet people from around the world, join events, and create your own spaces.
Why It's Great for Seniors
Promotes social engagement and creativity, offering endless opportunities for interaction and exploration.
Link to VRChat on Oculus Store
Incorporating VR into senior living communities can offer a wealth of benefits, from enhancing physical health to boosting emotional well-being. The Oculus Quest 2, with its diverse game library, is at the forefront of making these benefits accessible. The games we've highlighted are just the tip of the iceberg, each offering unique experiences tailored to the needs and preferences of senior citizens.
Remember, the key to a successful VR experience lies in moderation and ensuring that each user is comfortable with the technology. With these games, seniors have the opportunity to explore new worlds, stay active, and connect with others in exciting, innovative ways.
