TRANSFORMative virtual reality experiences for AGING well – TRANSFORM-AGING

While a growing body of research identifies loneliness as a root cause of distress and poor health among the elderly, highlighting it as a public health concern, recent studies suggest that immersive experiences in virtual reality (VR) designed for older adults can mitigate these effects by fostering social interactions and enhancing psychological well-being. However, emerging research on VR benefits for the elderly predominantly focuses on physical and cognitive rehabilitation, overlooking its potential for social and recreational uses. Hence, a comprehensive examination of VR’s influence on social engagement and subjective well-being becomes essential. Additionally, while current research in the ‘Silver Economy’ primarily centers on barriers to technology acceptance, using a cross-sectional approach, it neglects the critical issue of persistence of use. There is a pressing need for longitudinal research to uncover the conditions conducive to the adoption of VR and sustained use among older adults, and to assess its contribution to aging well over time.

To bridge these gaps, TRANSFORM’AGING assembles an interdisciplinary research team. The objectives of this proposal are twofold. The first goal is to delineate the factors facilitating the acceptance and sustained use of VR among the elderly, and reasons for resistance or abandonment. The second aim is to study whether, how and under what conditions VR technology can contribute to elderly people's aging well. VR is investigated as an instrument for new adjustments to aging's social, psychological, and physical effects. It represents a potential solution to mitigate the consequences of reduced mobility and social isolation, by offering innovative ways to explore the outside world and fostering enriched social connections.

TRANSFORM’AGING aims to provide significant contributions on both academic and societal levels, while also introducing new managerial insights for the development of innovative solutions in the ‘Silver Economy’.