At Aged Care Deloraine, a groundbreaking initiative is transforming the way residents experience the world—without ever leaving their rooms. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Bendigo Community Fund, the facility has introduced Virtual Reality (VR) technology, in partnership with SilVR Adventures, to bring immersive travel, connection, and joy to its residents.
The launch event was a celebration of innovation and community support, bringing together residents, staff, family members, representatives from Bendigo Bank, and the SilVR Adventures team. Acting CEO Matt Flakemore highlighted the impact of VR on residents, emphasizing how it allows them to explore the world, from the Eiffel Tower to the Colosseum, and even revisit childhood homes. “We’ve had residents with vision impairments still able to engage with this technology. One of our residents with cognitive impairment used it to visit their home country, and later told their family they thought they had actually gone back—it was that real to them!”
A Window to the World
For Lilian, a resident who is nearly blind, VR was a revelation. “I could actually see the things with the headset—it was incredible,” she shared. One experience took her to Easter Island and Africa, where she was surrounded by wildlife. “The animals came right up to me—I felt like I could touch them.” Fellow resident Stephen, a longtime wildlife enthusiast, described his virtual trip to Antarctica as “phenomenal—just like being there.”
Empowering Residents Through Technology
The ability to bring VR directly into residents’ rooms has been a game-changer. Michael Duniam, Project and Facilities Manager, explained, “For bed-bound residents, we can bring the headset to them, giving them a much-needed escape.” One resident, initially unsure about VR, ended up loving a tour of Vietnam, marveling at how different it was from the wartime images he had previously associated with the country.
A Community Effort
The VR initiative wouldn’t have been possible without Bendigo Bank, whose Vice Chair, Andrew Johnston, shared, “It’s rewarding to see the impact firsthand—giving older adults the ability to participate and engage.” James, a Customer Relationship Manager at Bendigo Bank, added, “I jumped into a VR helicopter ride over the Swiss Alps—it was incredible! Knowing residents can experience this too is fantastic.”
A Future of Endless Possibilities
With strong resident feedback, Aged Care Deloraine plans to expand VR usage beyond scheduled sessions, ensuring more residents benefit from these life-changing experiences. As Flakemore put it, “Technology is growing so fast, and we’re excited to see what’s next for VR in aged care.”
Through this SilVR Adventures partnership, Aged Care Deloraine isn’t just offering entertainment—it’s unlocking new worlds for residents, sparking joy, connection, and adventure in a way never before possible.
“At the moment, we’re just diving into VR with four headsets, but I can see it expanding quickly. Residents are already requesting sessions outside of scheduled times, and we’re exploring how to make this even more accessible—especially for those who are bed-bound. As technology advances, the possibilities for enhancing aged care through VR are limitless.”
shares Michael Duniam, at Aged Care Deloraine.
SilVR Adventures is proud to partner with Aged Care Deloraine, a forward-thinking provider dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults. Together, we are transforming aged care through immersive VR experiences that inspire connection, engagement, and joy. Our collaboration empowers residents to revisit cherished memories, explore new places, and create meaningful moments every day.
