VR Headsets Bring Joy and Memories to Nursing Home Residents

Mynd Immersive's virtual reality technology is helping older adults combat loneliness and revisit cherished destinations.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:00am

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An ethereal, X-ray-style image revealing the internal structures of an elderly person's hand holding a virtual reality headset, the ghostly lines and forms conveying the transformative power of this technology for senior care.Virtual reality technology is helping older adults in nursing homes revisit cherished memories and combat loneliness.NYC Today

Mynd Immersive, a leading provider of virtual reality (VR) technology for senior care facilities, is using its headsets to transport older adults to destinations around the world, allowing them to revisit past memories and combat loneliness. Residents like Carol Foster and Cecilia Ferreiro have been able to virtually explore cities like Florence and Paris, sparking joy and connection. The technology has expanded to hundreds of healthcare facilities nationwide, with the potential to also assist those living with dementia or mobility challenges.

Why it matters

As the aging population grows, technologies like VR have emerged as a way to enhance the quality of life for older adults, particularly those living in nursing homes or senior care facilities. By enabling virtual travel and shared experiences, Mynd's VR headsets are helping to combat the epidemic of loneliness affecting nearly half of American adults. The technology also shows promise in supporting those with cognitive or physical impairments, providing a new avenue for therapeutic and recreational activities.

The details

Mynd Immersive's VR headsets allow users to explore a variety of destinations, from bustling cities to serene natural landscapes. Residents at The New Jewish Home in New York City have been using the technology, with sessions often sparking reminiscence and connection. Carol Foster, an 82-year-old resident, was able to virtually visit Florence, while Cecilia Ferreiro, 70, revisited Paris and Buenos Aires. The experiences have helped the women feel transported, if only temporarily, outside the walls of the nursing home. Mynd has raised over $8 million and expanded to over 800 healthcare facilities nationwide, including VA medical centers, where the technology is being used to support veterans with PTSD, chronic pain, and social isolation.

  • Mynd Immersive was launched 10 years ago with a now-discontinued Samsung headset.
  • Mynd recently announced that the VA will prescribe and 100% reimburse the use of their products in prescriptive therapy for veterans living at home.
  • The New Jewish Home began working with Mynd's products in 2024.

The players

Mynd Immersive

An American company that provides virtual reality (VR) technology and experiences for senior care facilities, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

Carol Foster

An 82-year-old resident of The New Jewish Home in New York City who has been using Mynd's VR headsets to virtually explore destinations like Florence, Italy.

Cecilia Ferreiro

A 70-year-old resident of The New Jewish Home who has used Mynd's VR technology to revisit past trips to Paris and Buenos Aires, sparking memories of her late husband.

Chris Brickler

The chief executive and co-founder of Mynd Immersive, who developed the VR technology with the goal of providing better care and engagement for older adults, particularly those living with dementia.

Dr. Jeffrey Farber

The CEO of The New Jewish Home, who has seen residents bond with peers and caregivers during group VR sessions and has been working with Mynd since 2024.

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What they’re saying

“You would have liked to have stayed there all day, right?”

— Chris Brickler, Chief Executive and Co-founder, Mynd Immersive

“It's interesting to feel you're someplace else for a while.”

— Carol Foster

“I felt I was there with him.”

— Cecilia Ferreiro

“I want to expand the little mind that I have left. I forget everything, but I'm trying to catch up to everybody else.”

— Cecilia Ferreiro

“We had an instance where we took a woman back to her old house, and it was a Walmart parking lot. She grieved to see it paved over and destroyed. We learned our lesson big time.”

— Chris Brickler, Chief Executive and Co-founder, Mynd Immersive

What’s next

Mynd is planning to further tailor its VR products for dementia patients based on symptom severity, as the company believes it is still in the 'embryonic state' of what the technology can achieve.

The takeaway

Virtual reality technology is emerging as a powerful tool to enhance the quality of life for older adults, particularly those living in nursing homes and senior care facilities. By enabling virtual travel and shared experiences, VR headsets like those from Mynd Immersive are helping to combat loneliness and isolation, while also showing promise in supporting those with cognitive or physical impairments. As the aging population grows, these innovative technologies could become an increasingly important part of holistic senior care.