Old age can be tough to get used to, considering the number of limitations it comes with.
Traveling the world, painting, playing golf, etc., may all be quite complicated for an older person to do in everyday life. However, thanks to virtual reality, seniors need not miss out on any experience they desire.
Several VR-friendly apps can be found, with some of them being elderly-friendly. Let’s take a look at the five best VR applications for seniors.
5 Best VR Apps
1. Real VR Fishing
Real VR Fishing is a fishing simulator that is designed to be realistic. From exploring various cabins, and fishing locations, this app is ideal for seniors who are enthusiastic about fishing. The app also entails a reward system where each type of fish lets you unlock better equipment and fishing locations.
Real VR Fishing is developed by Miragesoft, Inc, whose CEO was a former employee of Oculus. This makes them familiar with VR and has allowed them to craft an app that is especially suited for senior citizens.
The multiplayer feature of the app also allows users to fish with a friend in beautiful locations together. To make the experience more realistic, elements such as birds flying in the sky, traffic lights on the roads nearby, etc., are added. Additionally, the sound design of this app managed to fully encapsulate the feel of being near a calm pond.
An option for HUD glasses is provided in easy mode. HUD glasses make the fish develop outlines that make them easier to spot, especially for older adults.
2. Wander VR
The main priority for senior citizens is to travel the world, and often they cannot do so due to various reasons, such as lack of resources and health. For people like such, Wander is a great way to see several places around the globe while staying at their homes.
Much like Google Maps, Wander allows users to travel to places and set their favorite location so they can always come back. Additionally, the app entails a sharing option where you can mimic the feeling of traveling with a close friend. Since the app is in VR, it managed to capture the traveling experience by allowing full immersion.
For older adults who are geography enthusiasts, Wander lets them learn about various monuments and other historical sites without incurring any travel expenses.
Not only does Wander let you travel to various places, but it also allows you to travel through time. Exploring the past is now a possibility, thanks to this app. And if you like to be surprised, Wander offers a feature that will transport you to a random destination with the click of a button. One day you’re in an Indonesian temple, and the next, you’re in a gas station in Utah!
3. YouTube VR
Navigating through a smartphone can be quite complex for an older person. This is why apps like YouTube VR are essential to improve seniors’ lives. YouTube VR is much like regular YouTube, a video-sharing platform, but in VR. The app allows users to search for videos using their voice, making it much easier to use for the elderly.
YouTube VR offers a plethora of content, from 360-degree travel videos to other sources of entertainment. Depending on what they like, seniors can look up a video and enjoy it in virtual reality. Many live-streaming videos on YouTube have HD clarity and work well with most VR headsets.
From listening to music to watching travel videos, YouTube VR offers senior citizens a great opportunity to be entertained and learn. Additionally, YouTube consists of several space videos that can efficiently capture the feel of being in outer space. What better way to spend your time than to relax on a space station in the virtual world?
4. Bigscreen VR
Among the older folks, a lot of them can be movie enthusiasts. Introducing them to movies they can watch in virtual reality will leave them amazed.
The general idea of this app is to simulate a movie theater. For people who are bound to their homes, Bigscreen VR is an ideal way to emulate the feeling of being in a movie theater. Additionally, the app allows the user to invite friends and colleagues so that they can share the VR experience.
Some popular movie titles available in this app are Star Trek, Terminator, and Top Gun. Etc. Each viewing room holds a group of eight people, and the app can support thousands of such rooms simultaneously. Bigscreen has also partnered with several TV companies, allowing you to get access to live TV and pre-scheduled content.
Bigscreen is also a way for older users to find and make new friends since making friends when you’re older can be difficult. You can interact with other users and schedule future group movie sessions with them.
5. Shores Of Loci
Shores of Loci is a popular 3D puzzle game best suited for older people. The game takes the user to an attractive location where numerous pieces of the city will be placed in front of them. From the pieces, you will have to arrange them in such a way that they form the final image. To make the VR experience much more relaxing, calm and soothing music plays in the background.
Shores of Loci is a beautiful game that allows seniors to relax and have fun simultaneously. Especially for people who are fond of puzzles, this VR puzzle game is ideal.
The game keeps the users engaged in several ways. One common way is when you think you’ve completed the puzzle, it expands to form a small portion of a bigger puzzle. This feature makes you want to keep going to find out what picture awaits you at the end. The game is also made easier with several hints and other helpful features in case you get stuck on a piece.
3 Best VR Apps For Oculus Quest 2
1. Walkabout Mini Golf VR
Walkabout Mini Golf is by far one of the most popular games for seniors on Oculus Quest 2, and rightfully so. As the name suggests, the game is a virtual reality mini golf with various DLCs.
From 18-hole courses to several golf balls to choose from, Walkabout Mini Golf is an immersive golfing experience for all golf enthusiasts. The game also features multiplayer options, so you can play with a friend and challenge them.
This game is specifically made for older golfers who can now not physically go to a golfing club but still wish to golf. The courses can vary from being straightforward to quite complex with sharp cuts and turns.
Though the game features simple graphics and easy-to-use technology, each course manages to stand out due to its stunning visuals. The game physics is also crafted in such a way that you feel as though you’re playing the real game.
If you feel confident, the game also has a hard mode which changes the aesthetic of the course and makes the gameplay more complex. You are also rewarded for each win with new putters and golf balls. Overall, this game is filled with many fun elements that the player can encounter as they progress.
2. Nature Treks VR
Trekking is a great way to explore nature, let off some steam, and get some much-needed exercise. However, this activity might be off-limits for several seniors due to various reasons, the main one being health concerns.
Nature Treks VR is an app that simulates trekking through beautiful nature without actually having to do it. This makes the app ideal for older people; all they need is a Quest 2 headset.
The app is usually classified as an experience of joy rather than a game. There is no story or plot, just the player making their way through nature and exploring it. Nature Treks VR is also ideal for people who wish to try meditation techniques and relax for a while. All you have to do is put on your headset, walk wherever you like, and take time to unwind.
Nature Treks VR is also a great app if you live in colder countries. Just put on your headset, and it’s a sunny day again!
3. Apollo 11 VR
We’ve all wished we could go to the moon someday and get the best possible experience. What if we told you that it is possible with the help of just one device? Yes, it’s a VR headset!
As you may know, Apollo 11 is the first journey of mankind to our neighbor satellite, the moon. This app is ideal for seniors who have a keen interest in space and everything space related.
Apollo 11 offers players to live through the astronauts on the day of the launch. To make the experience much more realistic, original audio from people at the space station present on that day is included.
With an intriguing backstory and historically accurate dates, Apollo 11 allows you to recreate mankind’s biggest achievement almost 50 years later. It starts with a speech by then-president John F. Kennedy, after which the rocket will prepare for takeoff. You also get to meet the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who were present in the original Apollo 11.
3 Best Free VR Apps For Seniors
1. Google Earth VR
Google Earth is a free app that allows users to travel to various places while staying within the four walls of their homes. Google Earth VR, though it only consists of minimal features, is extremely efficient in giving you an immersive experience. This free app is ideal for seniors for many reasons, the major one being eliminating unnecessary travel costs.
Aside from that, older people would not have to wait in lengthy lines or crowds in VR, which may not be possible to avoid otherwise. The Street View feature adds to the experience since you can get a first-person view of the entire site from various angles.
The rendering speed may not be as apt as Wander VR, but not disruptive enough to take from the overall experience. It is also much easier to use, especially for older people who have trouble figuring out controls.
2. Tilt Brush VR
Tilt Brush is an app designed by Google focusing mainly on virtual reality painting. Not only is it a great app for art enthusiasts, but it is also a great way to learn different painting techniques. With a variety of brushes to choose from, an easy-to-use interface, and many customization options, Tilt Brush takes a new approach to art.
Since the app is fairly simple, seniors can use it without facing any trouble or needing extra help. The technology used is not complex, so the learning process, in the beginning, is quite short. There is also no limit to what you can create with this app. The possibilities are endless, from smoke, water, fire, snow, and mist.
It is not just a painting app but a platform that pushes artists to explore more of their art and create new artwork. The app also entails an impressive set of shades and brushes, giving the artist more control of their work.
3. Rec Room VR
Rec Room is an ideal app for seniors who prefer to have some fun and would like some entertainment. The apps feature virtual world-building, where you can invite friends and play games with them.
Rec Room is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including the Oculus and Steam headsets, or you can log in via Xbox, PlayStation, or iOS. The app also features a Junior Mode, so if you wish to play with your grandkids, Rec Room provides a safe space. What better way to bond with your grandchildren other than over a wholesome game?
This app is a great way to beat loneliness without actually having to step out of your house. With the number of games for seniors, Rec Room makes it impossible to get bored of the app. Irrespective of the existing list of games, new games for seniors are created and added often, making it a truly enjoyable app.
Final Words
Gifting your elderly family members or loved ones a VR headset might seem strange, but it can be the best decision. Old age comes with its own limitations, like limited mobility, and VR allows seniors to push those limitations aside and enjoy their life without worries. The apps mentioned above are a foolproof way to get seniors to take their first steps with VR.
