Residents of Regina care home taking advantage of new technology

Residents at Regina’s Elmview Long-Term Care Home have been introduced to VR headsets, iPads, laptops and an interactive projector called The Obie.

The technology was brought in to help fight isolation and improve mental stimulation for the residents.

The items were purchased by the Elmview Resident And Family Support Group, which is independent of the home itself. Elmview operates under the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The Obie was purchased with the $25,000 that the support group received through the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). It funds projects that “make a difference in the lives of seniors and in their communities,” according to the Government of Canada’s website.

“They can basically use it on a floor, on a wall (or) on a table,” said Sean Louvel, the chair of the support group’s board. “They can play games (and) they can do different exercises to help with their mental stimulation. And you can play with multiple people.”

Louvel said people who are in wheelchairs or who have other mobility issues can also use the Obie with a pool noodle.

Elmview staff said the project has been a huge hit with the residents so far.

“This project has been amazing, actually,” said Lawry Tardif, Elmview’s recreation supervisor.

“They love it. They love the interaction even if they can’t play. They love the colourful stimulants from the Obie that sends off lots of light and movement. They have lots of fun (and) they laugh. The games are fun.

“It’s been a nice change from the regular ho-hum day.”

The $25,000 also went towards virtual reality headsets which let residents do anything from playing games to watching videos to even going through a walk around their hometowns, as long as it can be found on Google.

The residents can also use the tablets to reach out to their families.

“(The residents) need that attention,” Tardif said. “They need that love (and) they need that support. And just sitting doing nothing is not very beneficial for their heads.”

–Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct a misspelling of Tardif’s name.