Watch: How virtual reality can help the lives of people living with dementia

PEOPLE living with dementia are being offered unique virtual reality (VR) experiences thanks to an innovative new project.

Care home group Quantum Care and marketing agency Tribemix have created a range of nostalgic and scenic VR experiences which could be used as immersive therapy to help people living with dementia.

The experiences, which are in the form of 12 pre-installed VR scenes, are aimed at helping patients trigger positive memories and making them feel relaxed.

Richard said he “loved” seeing gorillas and found the experience “peaceful” (Tribemix/PA Video)

Scenes include a forest full of animals, a beach, a luxury yacht overlooking a coral reef and dolphins playing in the sea.

Others feature a view of the Earth from the International Space Station and a wildlife safari showing an elephant, giraffe, gorilla and rhino in a forest.

A beach scene from VirtuCare’s VR experience (Tribemix/PA Video)

The system was initially designed to help people living with dementia, but Tribemix says the project is now being broadened to include patients from paediatrics, respiratory disorders, physical disabilities and elderly care.

One user, Ann, had a fantastic response to the experience.

“This is happy tears by the way, I am not sad,” she said.

Ann, who took part in the VirtuCare experience, said it was “magic” (Tribemix/PA Video)

Another user, Richard, said he “loved” seeing gorillas and found the experience “peaceful”.

According to a report from the Alzheimer’s Society, the number of people living with dementia in the UK is forecast to increase to more than one million by 2025 and two million by 2051.

At present, there are more than 40,000 people with early-onset dementia in the UK.

This week is Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland. Click here to read more.