Travelling with technology

Virtual reality taking hospital patients and others to far-away places

Rendever’s virtual reality (VR) platform at hospitals and public long-term care nursing facilities is connecting patients and residents with far-away places and their favourite locations from the comfort and safety of their own rooms.

Health P.E.I. is the first government agency to bring Rendever’s technology to residents. Rendever, a company that offers a VR platform specifically designed for older adults, allows users to travel around the globe, check off bucket list items, connect with others and engage with the world in ways that were not possible before. For more details on Rendever, visit www.rendever.com.

Within the first three months of deployment, Health P.E.I. staff hosted more than 60 Rendever VR sessions. In total, the team delivered 2,400 experiences and participants spent 59 hours in VR.

Rendever’s VR platform has proven to be a helpful tool throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Health P.E.I. team were so active and consistent in their use of the Rendever systems that they were selected to beta test a brand new interactive application designed specifically in response to the coronavirus called the Connection Corner.

“The heightened safety protocols to protect our patients and residents from COVID19 have been paramount, but the isolation and loneliness that comes with quarantine is significant,” said Paul Young, administrator for Community Hospitals West.

“Rendever has been a bright spot for our residents and patients – both before and during this global pandemic. While many of our peers in the industry had the knee jerk reaction to halt all group activities, our team used innovation and technology to pivot the delivery of our activities, while still offering amazing engagement opportunities.’’