We met Janet, Charlie, Gunther, Sheldon, Elisabeth, Jeannine, Lois. One participant exclaimed, “This is trippy!” Another cooed back with the chirping birds.

“I was in the hospital, then skilled nursing and now here, in assisted living, and this was phenomenal because I felt like I actually got outside,” said a resident of Camarillo Senior Living who participated in the District’s “Roam Around the World” mobile virtual reality program. “It was exciting. I’d love to do it again.”

A total of 92 people, ranging in age from 63 to 101, participated in the program between July 2023 and June 2024. It was designed to take older adults, ages 62 and up who are homebound or have limited mobility, on virtual travel adventures. The program was supported in part by a community development block grant from the city of Camarillo. The city awarded a CDBG contract to the District for fiscal year 2023-24 to help cover the cost, making it free to participants identified through community outreach. The District connected with 12 locations, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, nursing homes and senior housing communities.

The program, called “Roam Around the World,” is the mobile version of our award-winning “Adventures in VR” classes held on the District’s campus at 3639 E. Las Posas Road. So far, more than 600 people, ages 22 to 96, have taken virtual reality classes at the District since Fall 2022.

“Roam Around the World” exceeded its goal of bringing VR to older adults who may not have the ability to travel any longer for a variety of reasons by providing this free service to more than 90 people. VR offers participants a full sense of “being there” through immersive headsets and software applications, and utilizes computer technology to create a simulated environment.

Imagine traveling over the Swiss Alps in a hot-air balloon, going on a guided sightseeing tour in Rome, snorkeling in an underwater safari park or being immersed in nature as animals walk up to you. You can do all of this without leaving Camarillo, and sometimes without leaving your room through the District’s immersive VR programming!

“My father used to take us on long trips across the state of Pennsylvania. There were a lot of trees and lakes. This is bringing back great memories,” shared a participant of the “Roam Around the World” program.

“I am so relaxed right now,” said another. “I love scuba diving. I saw turtles and fish. It was beautiful and so relaxing. It had a really calming effect on me.”

In addition to teaching digital literacy, VR classes aim to improve quality of life and sense of well-being by reducing loneliness, addressing depression, and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. But, most of all, they’re fun. Participants talk about how the experience impacted them individually while in a group setting. They also write about it in a “passport” and add stickers that represent their various journeys.

With all the fun and excitement, VR is also widely used to impact depression and socialization. According to the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being,” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab, “VR is believed to be beneficial to older adults due to its immersive interaction capabilities. Participants who used the VR system reported being less socially isolated, being less likely to show signs of depression, experiencing positive affects more frequently, and feeling better about their overall well-being,” according to the study.

Virtual travel can provide a much-needed escape, particularly for people who are isolated, people with disabilities and the elderly. According to research by the makers of these VR applications, people have been moved to tears while using these travel and exploration applications as they stand virtually in places they had always wanted to see but didn’t have the ability to get to.

To participate in the Adventures in VR classes on our campus, see Page 7 for dates, times and class descriptions, and call 805-388-1952 to register.