Sitting in a chair in a common room at Tapestry Retirement Community at Wesbrook Village, Yvonne Leversage donned a headset, complete with what looked like a black, oversized scuba-diving mask that covered much of her face.
And while the contraption resembled some kind of medieval torture machine, the immediate smile on Leversage’s face demonstrated it was anything but.
Leversage was one of about 20 seniors gathered to experience a virtual reality series created by Perspective Films, a Vancouver-based live-action, virtual reality production agency and laboratory. Dubbed VR Wonders of the World, the virtual reality series transports the viewer to extraordinary destinations around the world and offers adventures that can be customized and interactive. Leversage experienced the first two episodes of the series, which feature journeys to the Grand Canyon and Northern Lights.
“My husband and I used to mountain climb and hike places like Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island,” said Leversage. “I can’t hike anymore, but it’s very heartwarming to see this. I think it’s wonderful that people can see these places even if they can’t get to them.”
Perspective Films specializes in creating 360-degree videos for use online, on smart devices and with their own virtual reality equipment. Company founder Chris Bedyk created this series of travel videos and developed the speciality cameras required to view them. Prospective Films is also responsible for creating the Vancouver Canucks first virtual reality/360-degree experience.
Lina Saba, marketing consultant at Tapestry, said when Perspective approached the retirement community with a plan to bring virtual reality to the tenants, she was immediately intrigued.
“Part of what we do is look for new technology to use and so we take advantage of every opportunity to participate,” said Saba. “It’s a way for us to gauge what kind of interests our residents have.”
Saba noted travel was once an important part of the lives of the majority of Tapestry’s residents, but for many mobility issues have made getting around more challenging. She added virtual reality offers seniors an opportunity to experience far-off lands once again.
Retired dentist Lionel Jinks also jumped at the chance to try the virtual reality headset. Jinks said he’d always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but for some reason never made the trip.
“And now I got to see it,” said Jinks, who still regularly travels with his wife, opera singer Carole Jinks. “I think this is the greatest. I could have watched it for another 30 minutes.”
Besides its entertainment value, Jinks believes the virtual reality experience has a second, even more important purpose.
“Maybe it will encourage some of them to actually get out there and see these places for themselves.”
