Hadleigh Nursing Home resident transported back to Paris in trial of virtual reality equipment

A resident at Hadleigh Nursing Home has been reliving her fond memories of France during a trial of cutting-edge virtual reality equipment.
 
Toni Gales, 92, lived with her late husband Frederick in Saint-Omer, in northern France for 30 years and adored Paris, visiting the capital many times.
 
Hadleigh Nursing Home, in Friars Road, Hadleigh, is taking part in a pilot project with the virtual reality company Oroi, which has developed a virtual reality platform with entertainment and cognitive stimulation experiences aimed at improving the emotional wellbeing and cognitive functions of older people.
 

Louise Cuckow, activities coordinator at the Kingsley Healthcare-run home, said: “Oroi offers dozens of scenic tours including one of Paris that was ideal for Toni.
 
“As soon as she put on the VR goggles to be transported to the Eiffel Tower and on a boat trip along the Seine she was full of smiles.”
 
Mrs. Gales, who has four sons and nine grandchildren as well as many great grandchildren, said: “I loved the Eiffel Tower but I am scared of heights and never made it all the way up. Now with the goggles, I can see the entire view from the top at last!”
 
Home manager Jan Seal said: “The VR goggles are an amazing resource and enable residents to relive experiences from their earlier life or go to totally new places.”

Author: Stephe Pullinger