When Apollo Care first introduced SilVR Adventures into their lifestyle and wellbeing program, Lifestyle Coordinator Kelly Davidson wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “Honestly, I was pretty scared at first,” she laughs. “Me and technology don’t always get along.” But what began as uncertainty quickly turned into one of the most transformative additions to her residents’ routine.
Six months into using SilVR Adventures, Kelly describes the rollout as not only smooth but unexpectedly rewarding. “Once you get into it, it’s actually really easy. And now I get excited every time I use it.”
Creating Meaningful Engagement Through Guided Exploration
Kelly runs VR sessions weekly, fitting them around the home’s activity calendar. Whenever a planned activity drops off the schedule, Kelly knows exactly what to do.
“I just grab the trolley, head to the chapel room, and when I say ‘We’re doing virtual reality,’ the residents always go— ‘I’m in, I’m in!’”
A key part of Apollo Care’s success with VR comes from Kelly’s facilitation style. Beyond the built-in storytelling, she keeps each session interactive and conversational using her tablet to see exactly what residents are experiencing in real-time. “I prompt them the whole way through — look left, look right, look up, can you see this on your screen?” she explains. “It helps them engage even more, especially residents with dementia or those who need a little extra guidance.”
This supportive style often leads to moments of joy, laughter, and shared discovery — particularly for residents living with vision impairments.
Seeing Clearly Again: The Unexpected Benefit
Some of the most profound outcomes have come from residents who struggle with low vision.
“They put the headsets on and everything becomes crystal clear,” Kelly explains. “I’ve had people cry. I’ve had people ask why they can see in VR but not in everyday life. It’s emotional — for them and for us.”
These moments often carry deep personal meaning. One resident, who rarely spoke about her past, suddenly opened up during a VR visit to Sydney. “She recognised a place connected to a painful memory of losing her son,” Kelly recalls. “We all sat together afterwards, supporting her. It was heart-breaking and beautiful at the same time.”
Another resident with dementia lights up whenever he sees Paris. “He says it perfectly — ‘No, it is Paris!’ He says it the correct way, laughs, giggles, says it again and again. It’s gorgeous to hear.”
Bringing Families Closer
Families have also been drawn into the experience. Kelly describes a mother and daughter who explored the beauty of underwater worlds together through VR. The daughter had never understood what her mum was referring to — until she tried the experience herself.
“When she took off the headset, the smile on her face said everything. Suddenly they had something new to talk about, something shared.”
A Gateway to Memories, Identity, and Joy
From themed sessions for Christmas and Remembrance Day to spontaneous “armchair travel,” SilVR has become a meaningful tool for reminiscence and emotional connection at Apollo Care.
“Some say joy, amazement, excitement — but those words don’t fully explain how much they experience,” Kelly says. “If I’ve made them smile or helped them share something important, that’s my job done.”
For Kelly, the future is clear.
“I love our VR. It brings mixed emotions — laughing, memories, animals, places — all safely from their armchair. The impact is incredible.”
SilVR Adventures is proud to support Apollo Care and lifestyle leaders like Kelly who bring VR to life with so much heart, empathy, and enthusiasm.
About Apollo Care
Apollo Care is an alliance of not-for-profit aged care communities, and is a new breed of aged care provider. They’re saving regional communities that are struggling to remain viable in an increasingly challenging regulatory and operating environment. Their innovative model, investment in Australia’s most advanced care technology, and their industry-first, AI-powered business turnaround tool are optimising care delivery and operational performance in their aged care communities – driving long-term sustainability.
For more information, please visit: https://www.apollocare.com.au
