Who said fun and games are only for the young?
A shift is underway in aged care, challenging old assumptions about what life should look like in our later years.
Instead of days defined by isolation or routine, some aged care communities, like Fronditha Care, are now embracing programs designed to spark memory, connection and joy — proving that curiosity doesn’t retire.
One of the standout activities making a difference is the introduction of regular trivia tournaments – a lively initiative designed to stimulate memory, inspire friendly rivalry and create moments of shared laughter.
For residents, trivia is never just a game. It’s a chance to test their knowledge, tell stories, and enjoy the pride that comes from remembering moments and facts that shaped their lives.
Nancy Andrian, Strategic Advisor at the Fronditha Care Foundation, said that trivia brings out a welcome competitive spirit.
“The trivia gets them feisty. We know that they love quizzes. It’s quite ageist to think that because they’re older they’re not meant to do anything except rest,” she told Neos Kosmos.
But trivia is only one piece of a bigger vision.
Immersive, Shared and Meaningful VR Experiences
Some residents go even further but not by bus or plane, but through Virtual Reality. With a headset and a spark of imagination, they are transported back to the landscapes that shaped their earliest memories.
For many, that means Greece:
The coastline.
The monuments.
The villages and churches.
The feeling of belonging.
Nancy described the experience as “Greekified” so that it resonates deeply with the community it serves.
One participant, still emotional after removing her VR headset, shared:
“We went to our Greece, the most beautiful place in the whole world. When I saw the sea, our ancient monuments that exist nowhere else… We must be proud, because the ancient Greeks offered so much, and we must follow their example.”
Another resident said simply:
“It was wonderful, what we experienced was so beautiful. I never expected to see that.”
Beyond the wonder, the VR program also supports reminiscence therapy — a gentle, meaningful way of stimulating memory, lifting mood and creating conversation, even among residents who tend to be more introverted.
Short sample of SilVR’s large Greek inspired VR library🌏💙
As Nancy explained:
“VR is a way for them to connect socially with others, stimulate their brain, and have a little bit of reminiscence therapy as well. The inspiration is seeing my parents and seeing how I can support them with a life that they deserve.”
Programs like Trivia and VR are not add-ons: they are a holistic approach to wellbeing, one that values emotional, cultural and intellectual connection just as much as personal care.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that you’re making a difference and you’re literally disrupting the status quo and having them live a life that’s joyful, with dignity, with purpose, with meaning,” Nancy said.
This is aged care not as an ending, but as a chapter still full of life because ageing should not be about what is lost — but everything still waiting to be enjoyed.
This article appears in Neos Kosmos and can be found here: Reshaping what ageing can look like – Programs that stimulate memory, reduce loneliness and keep community and culture at the heart of ageing
